Transfer Centre

Jose Mourinho: 'Manchester United must keep David de Gea'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 14 January 2018

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho confirms that the club will offer David de Gea a new contract in a bid to ward off interest from Real Madrid.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has talked up the importance of keeping David de Gea at the club beyond the end of his current contract.

De Gea signed a four-year deal at Old Trafford after a proposed 2015 move to Real Madrid fell through and, although that contract is due to expire next year, United also have the option to extend it by a further 12 months.

Madrid have been repeatedly linked with the Spaniard since seeing an admin error scupper their previous deal, but Mourinho is desperate to keep him at Old Trafford and confirmed that the club will offer the shot-stopper a new contract.

"The option, it's obvious that we're not going to let the option disappear. A goalkeeper like he is and obviously a club that wants to be better and better and better, we are not going to let that year option go away," Mourinho told reporters.

"But obviously we are going to try (for a new deal). Mr (Ed) Woodward is not on holiday. He barely has holidays. Of course he's going to try to give him a contract that keeps him here for much longer than that option that of course we are going to execute.

"I just trust the board and the work they do. I don't negotiate players, I don't discuss numbers and contracts. I just say what is obvious. Anyone of you would say the same - David is to keep."

De Gea has kept 12 clean sheets from his 22 appearances in the Premier League this season ahead of Monday night's home match against struggling Stoke City.