MANCHESTER: Goalkeeper David De Gea has signed a four-year contract extension with Manchester United. This means that, if Real Madrid renew their interest next summer, they will have to pay a fee rather than obtain De Gea free as would have been the case had his contract been allowed to expire.

De Gea’s long-awaited transfer to Madrid collapsed on deadline day with each club accusing the other of administrative incompetence – which both sides denied.

United manager Louis Van Gaal left De Gea out of his team for the first six games of the season because he said he felt the two-time player of the year was not able to focus due to Madrid’s interest in him.

De Gea played for Spain in their midweek Euro 2016 qualifier against Macedonia and may make his United comeback in Saturday’s home game against Liverpool.

#########