Peter Schmeichel tells Manchester United to fight to keep David de Gea

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has urged the club to do all it can to keep David de Gea.

The Spanish shot-stopper is entering the final 12 months of his Old Trafford contract, and is widely expected to return to La Liga and join Real Madrid.

However, Schmeichel insists that United need to keep hold of the 24-year-old and should break the bank to convince him to stay.

He told The Sun: "Whatever David would want in a new contract, if I were [Louis] Van Gaal, I would fight tooth and nail to keep him happy in Manchester.

"Let's face it, the number of games where David saved United three points or one point is the reason why they were fourth in the table. He has just been unbelievable."

De Gea joined United from Atletico Madrid in 2011.