Manchester United: David de Gea's former mentor appointed as goalkeeping coach by Jose Mourinho

Emilio Alvarez, who spotted De Gea's talent at Atletico Madid, is one of six new backroom staff members at Old Trafford

Saturday 09 July 2016 15:52

De Gea has become one of United's most important players since joining in 2011

(Getty)

Jose Mourinho has appointed David de Gea’s former Atletico Madrid mentor as Manchester United’s new goalkeeping coach.

Emilio Alvarez, one of six new backroom staff members at Old Trafford, replaces Frans Hoek, who left the club following the dismissal of Louis van Gaal at the end of the season.

Alvarez’s appointment will be viewed as a clear indication that, one year after an administrative error prevented him joining Real Madrid, De Gea is set to stay in Manchester.

As an 18-year-old, De Gea caught the eye of Alvarez, who was Quique Sanchez Flores’ goalkeeping coach at Atletico in 2009.

De Gea was subsequently promoted above Sergio Asenjo, the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, and went on to play in 2-1 Europa League final win over Fulham later that season.

Manchester United summer transfer targets

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1/8Manchester United summer transfer targets

Manchester United summer transfer targets

Ivan Perisic, Inter Milan

United want to spend £35m on Perisic but Inter are holding out for closer to £50m. That said, Mourinho is a big fan and may be willing to go the extra mile to get him. Likelihood: 7/10

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Manchester United summer transfer targets

Renato Sanches - Bayern Munich

Sanches was being chased by United before deciding on Bayern Munich last summer but is back on their radar again 12 months later. He is available for £43m and Ancelotti has admitted United are "a possibility".

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Manchester United summer transfer targets

Fabinho - Monaco

An extremely versatile player Mourinho sees him more as a defensive midfielder and could be used to give Paul Pogba, last summer's big addition, more freedom. Monaco aren't in any rush to lose any more first team stars this summer though and are likely to demand a hefty fee. Likelihood: 7/10

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Manchester United summer transfer targets

Eric Dier - Tottenham

United have already had a bid less than £25m rejected for the defensive midfielder and know they must more than double it to have any hope of signing Dier, who is understood to want the move.

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Manchester United summer transfer targets

Nemanja Matic - Chelsea

Nemanja Matic has twice worked under Jose Mourinho before and he wants to make it a third time at United. However, after beating Chelsea to Romelu Lukaku, relations between the two clubs have been soured somewhat.

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Manchester United summer transfer targets

Gareth Bale - Real Madrid

The Real Madrid forward would be a marquee signing, the type that the Manchester United boardroom are keen to make, and The Independent has been told by sources from both United and Madrid that a deal is 'much likelier' than ever before. The player himself though is happy in the Spanish capital. Likelihood: 5/10

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Manchester United summer transfer targets

Willian - Chelsea

Mourinho is a huge admirer of Willian, who he signed in 2013 while at Chelsea. The pair won a Premier League title and League Cup double together the following year and it is believed that the United manager will do his best to sign the player, who has not been a regular starter in Antonio Conte’s system. Whether Chelsea will allow him to leave, particularly to join Mourinho at their rivals is yet to be seen. Likelihood: 4/10

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Manchester United summer transfer targets

Andrea Belotti - Torino

Another of Europe’s most promising players, Belotti is fast becoming well-known after his outstanding performances at Torino, where he has scored 37 goals in 64 appearances since 2015. His best years are still ahead of him aged just 23, which contributes to the incredible €100m release clause, applicable only to clubs outside of Italy, negotiated into his contract. Torino are in no hurry to sell and will drive a hard bargain with any deal likely to start at upwards of £70m. Likelihood: 7/10

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The Spain international has established himself as one of United’s most important players since joining the club for £17.8million in 2011.

Alvarez, United's new goalkeeping coach

(Manchester United)

Despite speculation linking him with a return to the Spanish capital, it now seems likely that De Gea will remain at Old Trafford for the foreseeable future.

De Gea was reportedly prepared to leave the club if Van Gaal remained in charge. However, the Dutchman was replaced by Mourinho, whose agent, Jorge Mendes, also represents De Gea.

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