Manchester United: Louis van Gaal confident David de Gea will stay at Old Trafford

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is hopeful David de Gea will remain at Old Trafford beyond this summer despite speculation the Spaniard wants to join Real Madrid.

Van Gaal said following the draw with Arsenal that De Gea, who is yet to agree to an extension to his contract, had a decision to make over his future at United.

But the United boss is now more optimistic that the Spaniard could stay at the club, while the Dutch coach says the 24-year-old could feature against Hull City on the final day of the Premier League season despite suffering from a hamstring injury.

"I believe still that David de Gea shall stay," he told a pre-match press conference before the game at the KC Stadium. "I want to play him because I have to put my strongest team and with David de Gea we have the strongest team.

"It's his last match of the season, my last match and also the players," he added to MUTV. "I think you have to put out your strongest team because it's very important for Hull City."

Along with De Gea, a host of United players face an anxious wait over their future with many of them out of contract in the summer. Ben Amos and Tom Cleverley's deals expire in the summer, while Radamel Falcao awaits a decision over whether his loan deal will be made permanent.

"You know that I shall talk with them maybe tomorrow, we'll have a farewell drink," Van Gaal added. "After the match, I have the Monday to talk, I have spoken to some players this week. You have to wait and see how these talks develop in terms of players staying or going."

Though the core of United's squad will have the summer to recover from the rigours of the previous campaign, several players are involved in international tournaments during the summer.

Angel di Maria, Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia will be involved in the Copa America from 11 June to 4 July and Van Gaal admits the trio will likely miss the start of next season due to their commitments with their country.

"Yes, of course [some may miss the start of the season]," he added. "They need, as the other players do, holidays. When they are playing in the final – and that is possible with, for example, Argentina – then they are again late in our preparation.

"That's not so good for Manchester United but I hope they shall play in the final because that's great for them."