Did David De Gea's botched Manchester United exit fail because a poll spooked Real Madrid?

Fans weren't overly keen on the goalkeeper arriving

(Getty)

Manchester United have unequivocally blamed Real Madrid for the collapse of David De Gea's transfer, a version of events that if accepted, leads to the question - why?

On Monday night, with the Spanish transfer window closing, it sensationally transpired that the necessary paperwork to complete the deal hadn't been filed on time.

Real Madrid released a ten-point statement blaming the Red Devils, Old Trafford responded by insisting it was the Spanish club that was at fault. United, bemused and astonished by Real's stance released a detailed rebuttal and revealed that they secured the support of the Football Association to back up their case.

There is a suggestion that Real Madrid may have got cold feet over the deal and it may have worsened when influential newspaper Marca published a poll on Monday afternoon indicating Real Madrid fans weren't particularly excited about the goalkeeper's seemingly impending arrival. According to the survey, 90 per cent of fans were against a swap deal involving De Gea and Keylor Navas. It's not inconceivable that it influenced Bernabeu president Florentino Perez.

Had Real Madrid withdrawn directly from the deal it could have alienated them from moving for the Spain international when his contract expires at the end of the season.