David De Gea to Real Madrid: Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal 'instructs' board to sell goalkeeper

The manager wants situation resolved before start of the season

David de Gea arrives in Chicago as part of Manchester United's pre-season tour of the USA (GETTY IMAGES)

Louis van Gaal has instructed the Manchester United board to sell goalkeeper David de Gea to Real Madrid before the start of the season, according to reports.

It had been claimed that Van Gaal wanted to keep De Gea for the remaining year of his contract, but Madrid newspaper AS report that Van Gaal changed his mind after the 'keeper's woeful display in the recent friendly against PSG, which United lost 2-0.

Van Gaal hinted after that match that he was ready to sell the Spain 'keeper, saying: "We have a situation that is not favourable for David de Gea but neither for us and the club [Real Madrid] that maybe he wants to go to. Maybe he wants to go to."

Now AS have reported that Van Gaal now wants to get De Gea's transfer situation sorted before the start of the Premier League season, which begins next Saturday. It is believed De Gea favours a return to his native country. The 24-year-old played for Atletico Madrid between 2009 and 2011.

United have already brought in a new goalkeeper this summer, free-agent Sergio Romero.