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Manchester United transfer news: David De Gea to stay at Old Trafford as Real Madrid decide not to use release clause

Real can sign De Gea for £39m before 15 June but have elected not to make a move for the goalkeeper

Jack de Menezes

Monday 06 June 2016 09:51 BST

David De Gea is set to stay at Manchester United this summer (Getty)

Real Madrid will reject the chance to activate a release clause in David De Gea’s contract despite remaining interested in the Manchester United goalkeeper, according to reports in Spain.

Real missed out on the chance to sign De Gea last summer after a delay in completing paperwork due to a fax machine issue led to the Spanish goalkeeper remaining at Old Trafford. De Gea agreed a new contract with United a fortnight later before returning to the first team, though a release clause was inserted into his deal that allows Real to move for De Gea if they offer €50m [£39m] before 15 June.

Real already have Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas, on their books, with the Real No 1 impressing during the second half of the season under Zinedine Zidane’s guidance, and the former Real midfielder turned manager has told Navas he will remain first choice next season, according to Spanish newspaper AS.

It’s claimed that Real will not move for De Gea due to Zidane’s preference to stick with Navas as well as Jose Mourinho’s arrival at United. Mourinho has already spoken with De Gea and assured him that he is wanted as part of his new plans for United, with the 25-year-old warming to the Portuguese after barely speaking with his predecessor Louis van Gaal.

With his future appearing more certain than at any point in the last two years, De Gea is keen to focus on Spain’s Euro 2016 Championship campaign as they defend the crown they won in 2012. De Gea had to play deputy to Iker Casillas at the 2014 World Cup when Spain crashed out in the group stage, but he is expected to be Vicente del Bosque’s first choice goalkeeper this time around.

Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Show all 9

1/9Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Juan Mata

The Spaniard perhaps has most to worry about from Mourinho’s appointment, having been sold to United by the Portuguese in 2014, but while Mata lacks the pace and physical strength to become a key man under Mourinho, his knack of scoring goals in big games may yet play in his favour.
Survival rating: 6/10

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Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Marcos Rojo

The Argentine defender has endured an injury-hit time at Old Trafford since arriving from Sporting Lisbon two years ago. While Rojo possesses the physical attributes of a typical Mourinho defender, his poor concentration ensures his days will be numbered.
Survival rating: 3/10

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Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Ander Herrera

The £28.8m midfielder is under threat with Mourinho because he lacks a defined role and has struggled to make an impact during two seasons at United. Does not do enough to influence games and could be offloaded this summer.
Survival rating: 4/10

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Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Daley Blind

The Dutch defender became a key man under Louis van Gaal, impressing at centre-half last season having also played in midfield and at full-back. Blind may lose his centre-back position under Mourinho, but his versatility will earn him a stay of execution.
Survival rating: 8/10

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Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Phil Jones

Once regarded as a future England centre-half, but Jones has endured an injury nightmare at Old Trafford. But Mourinho likes to build his teams around a core of domestic players and Jones may yet be given the chance to prove himself for that reason.
Survival rating: 6/10

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Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Bastian Schweinsteiger

The Germany captain was a major disappointment last season having arrived to great fanfare from Bayern Munich. A Van Gaal loyalist, Schweinsteiger may find life too demanding under Mourinho and he appears an obvious candidate to be moved on.
Survival rating: 2/10

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Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Marouane Fellaini

Fellaini divides opinion at Old Trafford, with many regarding the Belgian as typifying the worst of Van Gaal’s reign, but he is effective and Mourinho is likely to regarded the former Everton midfielder as a useful Plan B, particularly with his physical presence.
Survival rating: 7/10

Reuters

Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Memphis Depay

Mourinho turned Arjen Robben into a star during his first spell at Chelsea and Depay arrived at United with a reputation as Holland’s successor to the Bayern Munich winger. He had a disastrous first season, though, and needs to improve his attitude to survive under Mourinho.
Survival rating: 5/10

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Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Adnan Januzaj

Januzaj became a forgotten man under Van Gaal, but United still believe the Belgian can become a world-class talent. He will be forced to accept Mourinho’s tough approach, but it worked for Joe Cole at Chelsea and Januzaj could yet salvage his United career under the Special One.
Survival rating: 6/10

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De Gea wanted to have his future resolved before the tournament in France gets underway, and it appears that United supporter can rest easy knowing that De Gea will still be at Old Trafford come the new season.

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