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Soccer

Schmeichel parallel could be relevant to De Gea ... but in a "more hostile environment"

If the back and forth between Real Madrid and Manchester United is anything to go by today, the t...



Schmeichel parallel could be r...
Soccer

Schmeichel parallel could be relevant to De Gea ... but in a "more hostile environment"

If the back and forth between Real Madrid and Manchester United is anything to go by today, the two clubs are not very fond of each other at present. 

Regardless of who is in the right, the David De Gea situation has been farcical with the goalkeeper unable to return to Spain because of a missed deadline.

"Real Madrid have known full well for over a year that they have wanted David De Gea. Manchester United were informed by Louis van Gaal last summer that he liked and wanted Keylor Navas. He couldn't get him because the deal was already proceeding from Levante to Real Madrid," said Off The Ball's European football correspondent Graham Hunter of the situation, adding it was pretty clear that De Gea, who has a year left on his contract, had his heart set on moving to Real.

Graham also assessed the effect the failed transfer could have on the player and the club.

"You could paint it that David De Gea will have a brilliant season and he could push this to one side psychologically and get on with it, which is true. But I spoke to [Peter] Schmeichel about this and the pressure he was under [in his final season] and this indomitable man, this great big battleship of an athlete was beginning to feel 'people are looking at me, people are waiting for a mistake and when I make a mistake, will it become two'. Now De Gea's younger and less experienced and it's a more hostile environment, so it's a major, major mistake by United."   

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