Ander Herrera hopes David De Gea snubs Real Madrid to stay at Manchester United

Ander Herrera hopes David De Gea ignores fresh reports linking him with a summer move to Real Madrid and stays at Manchester United. Yet, the Spanish midfielder believes that his compatriot is on the right path to become an Old Trafford legend after having recently been named the best goalkeeper of the Premier League 2016-2017 for the four consecutive campaign.

De Gea, 26, was already on the verge of moving to the Champions League winners during the summer of 2015 despite having previously played at Real Madrid local enemies Atletico Madrid. However, the deal fell through on deadline day after paperwork failed to arrive at La Liga headquarters on time.

The Spanish international decided only days later to sign a new deal at United until 2019 and remained as a key player for the Premier League giants both under Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.

However, his future at Mourinho's side has come into question again after it emerged that Real Madrid have earmarked the signing of a new number one to replace Keylor Navas as the top priority for the coming summer transfer window.

Chelsea star Thibaut Courtois had also been linked with Real Madrid in recent months but in recent days different sources have claimed that the United ace had finally been the chosen one.

Yet, Marca reported last week that Real Madrid have already agreed personal terms with the De Gea ahead of completing a summer move worth around €75m (£63.5m, $82m).

However, Herrera still hopes that those reports are false as he wants his compatriot to stay at Old Trafford for the long term.

Asked by Marca whether De Gea is going to move to Real Madrid in the coming summer transfer window, Herrera replied: "I hope not.

"He is the best goalkeeper of the Premier League for me, and for many people. He has been named again the best goalkeeper of the league, and already it goes four years.

"He has been at the club for six years. He's very close to the number of games Van der Sar played and can become a legend. People here love him very much. I hope he stays. There are few goalkeepers in the world who give you points and David is one of them."