David De Gea to Real Madrid: Manchester United goalkeeper 'happy' at Old Trafford despite rumours of £30m release clause
De Gea has stressed he is happy at one of the biggest clubs in the world but Real could relaunch their move for him in the summer
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Your support makes all the difference.David De Gea insists he is “really happy” to be playing for Manchester United despite his dramatic failed deadline day transfer to Real Madrid, but the club could see their resolve tested once again next summer.
The Spain goalkeeper spoke out ahead of Friday’s international friendly against England to reaffirm his commitment to the Premier League side, but talk of a £30m release clause could see the transfer saga of the summer kick back into life at the end of the season.
De Gea looked certain to join Real on deadline day only for a breakdown in talks between the two clubs over the necessary paperwork to end any chances of a deal going through. Less than two weeks’ later, De Gea had been reintegrated into the United first-team and signed a new long-term contract that runs until the summer of 2019, with the option for an extra year.
The 25-year-old has proven his worth to United once again this season with a string of impressive performances, and he has expressed his happiness at the club where he says he feels “loved” by the Old Trafford faithful.
"I felt in that moment that to extend my contract was the best thing to do," he said on ESPN Deportes.
"I'm really happy now, at one of the biggest clubs in the world, where I feel loved by the fans.
You must look forward, and I am very happy now
"Nobody let me down or disappointed me -- these are things that happen. You must look forward, and I am very happy now.
"During the market anything can happen, it can all change inside a minute. Football is like that. There were difficult moments, strange moments, but they help you to mature. To be stronger."
De Gea added: "The first game I returned, after all that had happened, was impressive. The way Old Trafford received me, it made the hairs stand up. It's very difficult to describe what that day was like. I really appreciate it."
De Gea was quick to praise United manager Louis van Gaal for helping him settle back into the squad and for putting faith in him to deliver the performances expected of the Spanish No 1 despite his near-exit. He went on to reveal that while the Dutchman can be “hard and strong” with his aggressive style of management, he has also become a “joker” in the dressing room in order to keep morale up among the players.
"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," he said. "He is a joker, makes a lot of jokes. Now and again likes to do something so that there is a good mood. But we talk mostly about football."
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