Peter Schmeichel: Man United should allow David De Gea to leave

Peter Schmeichel says Manchester United should allow David De Gea to join Real Madrid.

The club’s player of the year didn’t face Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day of the season as Argentina international Sergio Romero kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win against Spurs.

The Red Devils have fended off interest from Real Madrid so far this summer, but Los Blancos are expected to increase their £25m offer for the 24-year-old shot stopper.

And club legend Schmeichel criticised manager Louis van Gaal and the 20-time English champions for not resolving the goalkeeper’s future before the Premier League season started.

“If the player is not happy; his agent, himself and the club that want him should have sorted this a long time ago,” Schmeichel is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“It’s sad that it’s dragged into the season.

“I’d really like De Gea to stay. Two years running he’s been player of the year. You don’t let players like that go but if he wants to go, let him go and let Manchester United move on.”

United sealed three points in their opening game of the season on Saturday after Spurs defender Kyle Walker prodded the ball past his own goalkeeper under pressure from Wayne Rooney in the first half.

Van Gaal has signed five players in the summer transfer window, spending nearly £80m.

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The Red Devils face Aston Villa on Friday night.