Real Madrid or Manchester United, David De Gea admits he must make decision on future

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea admits he must decide where his future lies as he continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid.

United manager Louis van Gaal has indicated the 24-year-old’s future is in his own hands with Madrid keen to take the former Atletico stopper back to the Spanish capital.

But if the decision does lie with de Gea, his mind does not yet appear to be made up. “We will see what happens regarding my future,” De Gea told Spanish sports newspaper AS. “Right now I’m on holiday.”

De Gea has a year left on his contract at Old Trafford and is yet to sign an extension. The Madrid-born player is currently in Spain and was named on Sunday as the “adopted son” of the Castilla La Mancha region, where he grew up. “I’m delighted for this recognition,” he said.

De Gea joined United from Atletico Madrid in a £17.8m deal in 2011 and has made 133 appearances for the Premier League side.

Real, meanwhile, have yet to announce who will be their coach for the new season despite strong suggestions — including an off-hand comment from vice-president Eduardo Fernandez de Blas — that outgoing Napoli boss Rafa Benitez will be named as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor.

Whether de Gea stays or goes, United midfielder Daley Blind believes the club have a good chance of challenging for the Premier League title next season.

The Red Devils finished fourth in van Gaal’s first season in charge but were 17 points adrift of champions Chelsea and nine behind second-placed Manchester City.

However, Blind does not think that is too big a gap to close. “I think we’re not far off,” the Holland international said. “If you look at the end of this season we’ve done well and we’ve picked up a lot of points, even though the last few games were difficult, but I think we have a good chance next year.

“If you look at the games we’ve played against the top teams, we’ve won a lot of points and a club like Manchester United will always aim to win the title. Next year, we’re going to do that.

“I think in a lot of games this year we’ve carried on fighting until the end and got some points because of that. It comes from the players and the dressing room is really great, everyone gets on really well with each other. We want to fight for each other, on and off the pitch, and that’s where the spirit comes from.”

Blind was brought to Old Trafford by van Gaal, who managed his father Danny at Ajax, having got to know the 25-year-old’s qualities while Holland boss.

They have both adapted well to English football but Blind knows there is more to come.

“It’s a different league to the Dutch league. The pace of the game is much higher here but I think I’ve adapted well — I think perhaps I could have done better in a few games at the end of the season,” he added.

“Overall, though, I think I’ve had a good first season and I can be proud of that.”

On working under van Gaal, he said: “I was really excited for that because I knew that he could make players better.

“This year I think I’ve learned a lot from him and I’m very happy that he has a lot of confidence in me and that he brought me to this beautiful club.

“You have to work very hard for him. He asks 100% of you every day but that’s good, it keeps you sharp and makes you better.

“He’s very honest too, he knows what he wants and he’s always himself — that’s a great quality.”