Manchester United could lose star to Real Madrid
Manchester United could lose goalkeeper David de Gea to Real Madrid as the La Liga Champions search for the long-term successor to Iker Casillas. De Gea has struggled to adapt to the Premier League ever since his big money move from Atletico Madrid, but Real remain convinced he can cut the mustard back in Spain.
United shelled out £18 million for the 22-year-old last season, but De Gea’s time at Old Trafford has been dominated by a string of high profile errors. Sir Alex Ferguson has publically backed his goalkeeper on several occasions, but he will be concerned about his number one stopper’s failure to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League. De Gea is capable of moments of brilliance and his shot stopping is second to none, but he still remains vulnerable in the air.
Iker Casillas is still Real’s captain and the Spanish number one, but at 31, he may not have much longer left at the Bernabeu. Casillas has been a permanent fixture between the sticks in the capital for almost 15 years, but injuries this year have left people questioning how long the club legend has left at the top.
Real are concerned his playing career may be coming to an end and have identified De Gea as his replacement, given the ability he showed when he first broke onto the scene in La Liga. His potential is obvious and his performance against Madrid in the 1-1 draw between the two sides in the first leg of their Champions League clash convinced Real that De Gea is the man to take the number one shirt.
