OMNISPORT

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes David De Gea faces a "difficult" decision over his Old Trafford future after seemingly confirming Real Madrid's interest in the Spain goalkeeper.

Reports linking De Gea with a close-season move to the Santiago Bernabeu dominated the build up to United’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Sunday.

De Gea left the action early due to a back injury and, after the match, Van Gaal stated it would not be easy for goalkeeper to depart while acknowledging the allure of a return to his homeland.

Van Gaal told Sky Sports: "It's the same thing that I've already told you with every individual transfer, it's a process. It is also a process for David de Gea.

"David de Gea shall not leave us so easily because we have a great club and he wants to participate.

"But, of course, he is Spanish and his girlfriend is Spanish and he can go to another great club.

"So it's difficult for him to decide."

Van Gaal told his post-match press conference that De Gea would struggle to play in the final game of the season at Hull City due to a hamstring injury and went on to caution the player against a move away from United.

"I don't think that I can persuade him because he knows everything that he has at this moment at Manchester United.

"I don't have to say something in benefit of Manchester United because he can feel it every day.

"Have you seen the fans [during and after the Arsenal match]? Unbelievable, that reaction for him. 

"When he is going he is losing that because here he has a lot of credits. So he has to decide."