PSV Eindhoven director urges Manchester United to sign Jasper Cillessen as David de Gea replacement

PSV Eindhoven director Hans van Breukelen says Manchester United should look no further than Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen to replace David de Gea.

De Gea, who is in the final year of his contract at Old Trafford, remains heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, with manager Louis van Gaal declining to respond to questions over the goalkeeper's future during a press conference broadcast on MUTV on 21 July.

The Premier League side will surely have to bring in a direct replacement should the Spain international leave, following Victor Valdes' falling out with the manager. Cillessen has already been considered for the role, according to the Daily Mirror, and former Netherlands international Van Breukelen believes the Ajax shot stopper can provide the same qualities United great Edwin van der Sar brought to the club.

"If they are looking for a replacement for De Gea then I think that Cillessen tops their list," Van Breukelen told Algemeen Dagblad, the Daily Mail reports.

"It would be a logical step, because he is a goalkeeper that wins points. I think Cillessen is a great goalkeeper. He is a lot like Edwin van der Sar and fits the Premier League perfectly."

Van Gaal confirmed on on 21 July that De Gea is still suffering from the mystery injury that saw him miss the 1-0 win over Club America on 18 July.

The ex-Atletico Madrid shot stopper is now set to miss United's second pre-season game, against San Jose Earthquakes, along with fellow injury victim Antonio Valencia.

"They are minor injuries so they [De Gea and Valencia] have visited the hospital this morning," Van Gaal said via the club's official website. "It is confirmed they cannot play against San Jose, I think, but I think we have to wait."