Louis van Gaal: 'David de Gea will not leave easily'

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has insisted that David de Gea will not be allowed to leave the club "easily" amid rumours that he is close to joining Real Madrid.

It was recently reported that the Spanish goalkeeper had agreed personal terms with Madrid ahead of a summer move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, Van Gaal has suggested that United will fight hard to keep the 24-year-old at Old Trafford beyond the end of the season.

"He has the chance to go to another great club," the Dutchman told Sky Sports News. "He is Spanish. His girlfriend is Spanish. But he shall not leave easily."

De Gea joined United from Atletico Madrid in 2011 for a fee of around £17.8m.