United's reputation in tatters after De Gea's deadline day debacle

Premier League
United's reputation in tatters after De Gea's deadline day debacle

The David De Gea episode was very damaging for Manchester United, who must hope they can get the keeper back to top form after his move to Real Madrid collapsed.

Manchester United’s reputation as a club is in tatters over the farcical events which stopped David De Gea joining Real Madrid.

Given how things fell apart on Spanish deadline day, I imagine De Gea will be feeling quite bitter now. Two of the biggest clubs in the world have made a horrible mess of a transfer and it is the player who will suffer. De Gea was ready to return home to play for arguably the biggest club in the world – he was in Madrid ready to be unveiled – and now he has to come back into a very awkward scenario.

Making that move with his family, staking a claim for a starting role for Spain for Euro 2016 and representing Madrid… that has all been ripped away from him by two clubs failing to do their jobs properly. It is incredibly selfish of both Real Madrid and Manchester United and he has done nothing wrong.

Neither club has treated him well at all. United kicked him out of the team while the interest was there and Madrid waited until so late in the window to get things done. It hardly sent out a message that they were desperate for him to come. If they had his best interests at heart they would have done the deal weeks ago.

But for two clubs as well versed in elite football as Manchester United and Real Madrid – with all the staff they employ and expertise they have – to let a huge transfer fall apart because they can’t complete and upload files properly at the last minute is frankly unbelievable.

The fall out has been embarrassing with both clubs issuing statements in an attempt to transfer the blame, and I can’t believe United have got themselves caught up in it. Sometimes, silence is golden. Let other people shout and rant and just keep your counsel. But United aren’t good at keeping their mouths shut at the moment.

There’s only one noisy neighbour now and that’s Manchester United. They keep airing all their linen in public, keeping the press well informed about what is going on. Meanwhile, Manchester City do things reasonably quietly and effectively.

One thing is obvious: Manchester United have to bring him back into the team. David De Gea was the player who got United into the Champions League and they will need him this season. The back four are doing okay but Sergio Romero was found wanting against Swansea. Louis van Gaal can’t afford to bear a grudge.

De Gea also needs to play his way back into form and prove again what a great keeper he is. Perhaps he will join Madrid in January, perhaps he won’t, but either way Euro 2016 is at the end of the season and he needs to be there. Both men need to put their differences aside and work together for the benefit of the club.

The most important thing is that Manchester United have the best players available as they try and get over this debacle and get on with their season.