Manchester United and Real Madrid begin pre-emptive strikes in De Gea blame game

According to Real Madrid, Manchester United didn't file the David de Gea transfer paperwork in time on Monday night – and, of course, according to Manchester United, it was Real Madrid's fault.

David de Gea shown during a Premier League match last season against Everton. Paul Ellis / AFP / April 26, 2015

Manchester United insist Real Madrid were the ones to blame for the apparent – though perhaps not total – collapse of David de Gea's proposed move to the Bernabeu.

United and Madrid had agreed a deal worth £29 million (Dh164m) for the sale of the Spanish goalkeeper on Monday, with Keylor Navas coming to Old Trafford as part of the agreement.

But shortly after the deadline for European transfers, midnight in Spain (2am UAE), it emerged the necessary paperwork had not been lodged in time and the deal had therefore fallen through.

There was no sign of De Gea's name, nor that of Navas, on a confirmed list of La Liga transfers, which was published after the deadline had passed.

United insist they uploaded the requisite documents to Fifa’s Transfer Matching System before Monday’s deadline.

Read more: Manchester United dysfunction reflecting more and more on Louis van Gaal himself, writes Richard Jolly

Sources at Old Trafford have rejected reports in Spain that they submitted their paperwork after the deadline and claim they have a time-stamp from Fifa as proof.

It is understood that United feel it was Madrid who failed to file their paperwork in time and believe they must take the blame for the deal’s collapse. Reports in Spain indicated the documents did not reach the Spanish league office until 28 minutes after the deadline.

Although Madrid retain a glimmer of hope that the deal will somehow go through, there have never been any successful appeals regarding late transfers in the league’s history.

In February this year, Levante lost an attempt to overturn a ruling that cancelled their loan bid for Fulham’s Bryan Ruiz because they had missed the deadline for submission.

Quite why Madrid left it so late to try to secure De Gea’s signature is a source of debate among the powers that be at Old Trafford.

Madrid made De Gea their No 1 target earlier this summer following the departure of Iker Casillas to FC Porto and the two-time United player of the year himself was determined to complete the move.

De Gea, 24, who joined United from Madrid rivals Atletico Madrid four years ago, hails from the Spanish capital and his pop star girlfriend Edurne Garcia also lives in the city.

But it was not until the final day of the window that Madrid made their first significant bid for the player, and that was too late to get the deal over the line.

Also see: The National's Transfer Talk page

The United board are said to be “relaxed” about the situation.

Although De Gea is yet to play for the club this season, United know they will now have a world-class goalkeeper to choose, should he be deemed mentally fit enough to play in Louis van Gaal’s eyes.

The United manager will be hoping to wrap up his £36m move for Monaco striker Anthony Martial before the Premier League transfer window shuts at 6pm (9pm UAE) on Tuesday.

More incomings and outgoings are expected. United have received offers for defender Marcos Rojo, but he wants to stay.

Young striker James Wilson could go out on loan.

Winger Adnan Januzaj was the first out of the door on Monday, joining Borussia Dortmund on a season-long loan.

He was closely followed by striker Javier Hernandez, who signed for Bayer Leverkusen for €10 million (Dh41.4m). Goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard became the third United player to leave on Monday when he signed for West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer.

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