Manchester United Sweating Over David de Gea's Contract Situation as Real Madrid Loom

Manchester United are keeping a close eye on the contract situation unfolding behind David de Gea and are wary that interest from Real Madrid has turned his head, according to the Daily Mirror.

The Spaniard has only two years left in his current contract but is yet to open talks over a new deal with the Red Devils. Real Madrid have previously expressed an interest in the stopper. They are looking to replace Iker Casillas between the sticks and have earmarked De Gea as their main target in the upcoming months.

De Gea has already taken Casillas' spot in the Spain national team and is likely to favour a move to Spain, having seen his idol Casillas win countless trophies and accolades during his prime. The Red Devils are unlikely to make it easy for Madrid and are expected to let the player run down his term than let him leave before the termination of his contract.

However, this has not stopped Louis van Gaal from looking at other options, with the Dutchman already allowing former Barcelona stopper Victor Valdez to train under him. The 32-year-old is a free agent after being let go by the Catalans this summer and looks poised to join the Red Devils on a full time basis.

Valdez will bring some much needed experience to the backline, which has been leaking goals easily, and if not for De Gea's intervention could find themselves languishing in the bottom half of the league.

Injuries to key players in defence, namely Marcus Rojo, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and others have left them badly exposed at the back, which led them to concede five against newly promoted Leicester City. However, the Red Devils are getting better by the day and should they manage to tie De Gea to a long-term contract in the upcoming days, they will be a force to reckon with in the next season with the plethora of riches they have at their disposal.