Agent Jorge Mendes expects David de Gea to stay at Manchester United

Manchester United have received a massive boost in their pursuit to keep David de Gea at Old Trafford after his agent Jorge Mendes revealed that the player is unlikely to leave Old Trafford in the near future.

The goalkeeper is yet to sign a new contract with the club which expires in 2016, ringing alarm bells in the United contingent, who have been heavily indebted to the Spaniard for the position they find themselves in the league. The 24-year-old has been in brilliant form this season and is slowly but surely drafting himself as one of the best in the world.

There has been a lot of talk recently about the player replacing Iker Casillas as the number one keeper for both club and country, with Real Madrid reportedly being favourites for his signature. However, the Spanish giants did not make a formal bid in January and any move, if at all, is poised for the summer.

Louis van Gaal has brought in Victor Valdes as a contingency plan in case of any movement, but Mendes' latest words should calm the scene around Old Trafford, who are looking to put in a title challenge next season.

"He has one year left on his contract and I think that he will stay in Manchester. The player will decide, but he's happy there, at the moment," Mendes said, when asked about De Gea.

However, the agent was not too confident when the conversation moved to Radamel Falcao, another of his clients, on a season long loan to United from Monaco. The striker, who has not had the best of times at Old Trafford this season, may find himself back in Ligue 1 following the completion of his loan deal.

"If he will not stay in Manchester, he will play for sure in one of the biggest teams in Europe," Mendes added.

The agent was also very effusive about Sir Alex Ferguson, whom he believes is a genius and it will be difficult for any manager, barring Jose Mourinho to overthrow him as one of the greats of the Premier League.

"Having Sir Alex Ferguson ensures at this moment you have 12 or 15 points more. He's finished his career, but he's someone that's the difference," the agent concluded.