Peter Schmeichel tells Man United: If David De Gea wants to join Real Madrid ‘let him go and move on’

David de Gea, centre, was left out of Manchester United's team for their Premier League opener with Tottenham, with concerns over his focus. Oli Scarff / AFP

Manchester United goalkeeping great Peter Schmeichel believes mistakes have been made regarding the contract stand-off involving David de Gea.

De Gea has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, but United are reportedly holding out for defender Sergio Ramos in an exchange deal with the 10-time European champions.

The stand-off saw De Gea watch from the stands as United began their season with a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

United manager Louis van Gaal selected Sergio Romero instead of De Gea.

Schmeichel said the player’s future should have been decided before the season started.

Louis van Gaal: 'Can David de Gea play for Manchester United again? Of course'

“If the player is not happy; his agent, himself and the club that want him should have sorted this a long time ago,” Schmeichel told talkSPORT radio on Tuesday.

“It’s sad that it’s dragged into the season.”

“I’d really like De Gea to stay,” said Schmeichel, who won the Premier League five times during his eight seasons at Old Trafford.

“Two years running he’s been player of the year. You don’t let players like that go but if he wants to go, let him go and let Manchester United move on.”

De Gea has been included in United’s Champions League squad for the two-leg play-off against Club Brugge.

But even if he appeared in either of the matches, which take place on August 18 and August 26, he would be eligible to represent another club in the group stages of the competition this season, according to Uefa rules.

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