David De Gea: Manchester United goalkeeper 'really happy' to have stayed at Old Trafford

The Spanish 'keeper saw a move to Real Madrid fall through at the eleventh hour on transfer deadline day

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea and manager Louis van Gaal (Getty Images)

David De Gea has revealed that he is “really happy” to have stayed at Manchester United and thanked Louis van Gaal for welcoming him back into the fold at Old Trafford.

The Spanish goalkeeper, who saw a long-anticipated move to Real Madrid fall through at the eleventh hour on transfer deadline day, has now spoken candidly about how well he gets on with his manager.

When Van Gaal dropped the 24-year-old from his starting line-up at the beginning of the season, publicly questioning his mindset and desire to play for United in the process, it looked as though the pair’s relationship may have been irreparably damaged.

De Gea, however, insists there has been no ill feeling between himself and Van Gaal.

“From the first I day I came back, after all that happened, he gave me a lot of confidence, told me I would play, to relax and keep doing what I had done before,” De Gea told ESPN Deportes show Fuera De Jungo.

“(Van Gaal) is a hard and strong coach, but that is what we also try to transmit out on the pitch - that aggression and that attitude the coach has.

“He is very methodical, and in the end things are going well for us.

“In the end it is hard to be friends with any coach - you have a lot of respect for him, but it is difficult to be their friend.

“But he is a good person,” De Gea added. “You can talk with him about anything you want, and face to face he is sincere.

“We have a normal relationship between a coach and player. We both want what is best for the club.”

De Gea also revealed how happy he is to have signed a new four-year deal with the club.

“I felt in that moment that to extend my contract was the best thing to do,” he said.

“I’m really happy now, at one of the biggest clubs in the world, where I feel loved by the fans.

“Nobody let me down or disappointed me - these are things that happen. You must look forward, and I am very happy now.”