Manchester United keeper David De Gea has refused to play for the club unless his future is sorted out.

The Spaniard has been linked with a move to Real Madrid all summer and it seems that the player has his heart set on the move.

Manchester United successfully stalled the deal all summer by asking for Sergio Ramos in exchange. However, Ramos has now signed a new deal at Real Madrid and Van Gaal has lost his bargaining chip.

It appears that United are resigned to the transfer and Van Gaal is keen to get the player off the books in order to avoid a free transfer next summer.

David De Gea is set to replace Iker Casillas at Real Madrid

New signing Sergio Romero started in goal against Tottenham in the opening fixture of the Barclays Premier League and it seems that the Argentine will keep his place against Aston Villa later today.

Van Gaal said: “We have talked with him and he is in full agreement with our decision. I have two assistant coaches so we speak about that kind of thing and we have a goalkeeping coach, Frans Hoek, so I am not doing everything alone.

“Frans has had a meeting with David and he asks him if he wants to play. The answer is no. David was not eager to play because of the situation and because he was not 100 per cent focused due to all the rumours surrounding him.

“Then we have to take a decision. It is a process. We had been observing him and he was not so good – he was not the same David De Gea as before. He was my best player last season.”

It is evident that David De Gea clearly wants the move and his head is not in the right place. In such circumstances, given United’s resources, it would perhaps be wise to let the player leave and sign an adequate replacement.

Tottenham keeper, Hugo Lloris has been tipped to replace David De Gea at Manchester United.