Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea's future is up in the air after manager Louis van Gaal acknowledged the threat of Real Madrid's reported interest in signing him.

De Gea was forced off by a hamstring injury during United's 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal on Sunday and, with Real Madrid thought to be preparing to pounce, it might have been his final appearance for the club.

While van Gaal professed to not knowing if Madrid has made a formal offer for de Gea, who began his career with its crosstown rival Atletico, he accepts his club faces a struggle to prevent the 24-year-old falling into its clutches.

Asked if he accepted that de Gea was heading for the exit, van Gaal responded: "You are asking things I cannot answer. I don't know.

"I have said a transfer is an individual thing. It's also a process. He has to decide. We have given a fantastic contract (offer) because we want him to stay.

"But I analyze his position and then I say he is Spanish, he is a Spanish international - still behind (Iker) Casillas - and now a Spanish club is coming.

"His girlfriend is Spanish, his father and mother come every week or two weeks here to watch, and still it is difficult for him. It's a big compliment for Manchester United."

United has been happy to do business with Madrid in the past when it has suited it, with Javier Hernandez's loan move to Bernabeu this season echoing previous transfers involving David Beckham, Gabriel Heinze and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

But it also endured a long, ill-tempered standoff with the 10-time European champion over the services of Cristiano Ronaldo, who eventually left for the Spanish capital in a world-record deal in 2009.

British media reports suggest United has already drawn up a shortlist of potential replacements for de Gea, with Tottenham Hotspur's Hugo Lloris and Chelsea's Petr Cech among the players who have been cited.

De Gea's premature departure against Arsenal enabled his countryman, Victor Valdes, to make his United debut, four months after signing, and the former Barcelona goalkeeper is likely to be required to deputize again at Hull City on the season's final day.

Inconvenience

United led 1-0 through Ander Herrera's 30th-minute volley when de Gea left the fray but Arsenal equalized eight minutes from time when Theo Walcott's cross was deflected past Valdes by home substitute Tyler Blackett.

Arsenal can effectively secure third place in the Premier League table, and with it a Champions League group-stage berth, by avoiding defeat at home to Sunderland on Wednesday in its game in hand.

Van Gaal conceded he would rather avoid the inconvenience of entering the Champions League in the playoff round in mid-August - predicting a pair of "stressful games" - but he drew heart from the support of United's fans.

"It's amazing when you are fourth and they are shouting and clapping their hands so long for us," the Dutchman told his post-match media conference.

"I feel the warmth of the fans. I like it very much.

"I never had that experience at any of my previous clubs."

(China Daily 05/19/2015 page19)