United point finger over De Gea debacle

UNCERTAIN FUTURE . . . United goalkeeper David de Gea is reported to be “livid and distraught” at the late falling through of his move to Real Madrid.

MANCHESTER United insist Real Madrid are to blame for the shock 11th–hour collapse of David de Gea's proposed move to the Bernabeu.

United and Madrid agreed a deal worth £29million for the sale of the Spanish goalkeeper yesterday, with fellow ’keeper Keylor Navas coming to Old Trafford as part of the agreement.

But shortly after the 11pm deadline for European transfers, it emerged the necessary paperwork had not been lodged in time and the deal had fallen through.

There was no sign of De Gea's name, nor that of Navas, on a confirmed list of La Liga transfers, which was published after the deadline passed. United insist they uploaded the documents to FIFA before the deadline.

Sources at Old Trafford have rejected Spanish reports that they submitted their paperwork after the deadline and claim they have a time stamp as proof. It is understood United feels Madrid failed to file their paperwork in time. Reports in Spain indicated the documents didn’t reach the Spanish league office until 28 minutes after the deadline.

Although Madrid retain a glimmer of hope the deal will go through, there have never been any successful appeals regarding late transfers in the Spanish league's history.

Quite why Madrid left it so late is a source of debate at Old Trafford. Madrid made De Gea (24) their target earlier this summer following the departure of Iker Casillas to Porto and the two–time United player of the year himself was determined to complete the move.

The United board is said to be relaxed about the situation - knowing they have the player available to play if manager Louis van Gaal wants him.

United are hoping to wrap a £36m move for 19-year-old Monaco striker Anthony Martial before the Premier League transfer window shut at 6pm.

United have received offers for defender Marcos Rojo, but he wants to stay, while young striker James Wilson could go out on loan. Adnan Januzaj was the first out of the door yesterday, joining Borussia Dortmund on a season–long loan. He was closely followed by Javier Hernandez, who signed for Bayer Leverkusen for £7.3m. Goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard signed for West Brom on a free transfer.



MANCHESTER City were today set to fend off interest in Samir Nasri.

Italian giants Juventus were said to be interested in the French international, who has been making appearances from the substitutes’ bench so far this season.