David De Gea signs new Manchester United contract: timeline of the remarkable Real Madrid transfer saga

Goalkeeper has completed remarkable U-turn

Sport Staff
Friday 11 September 2015 08:15 EDT
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David De Gea in the stands at Manchester United
David De Gea in the stands at Manchester United (GETTY IMAGES)

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David De Gea has completed a U-turn and signed a new contract with Manchester United just a week after his move to Real Madrid collapsed.

2014: United offer De Gea a lucrative new contract.

2015: May 19 - De Gea wins United player of the year award for the second successive season

May 22 - Louis van Gaal, in his final pre-match press conference of the season, reiterates his belief that De Gea will not leave for Real Madrid in the summer. "I believe still David De Gea will stay," the United boss says.

July 13 - Van Gaal names De Gea in his squad for the pre-season tour of the United States.

July 24 - After missing the first two games of the tour through injury, De Gea starts - and plays well - in United's 3-1 win over Barcelona in Santa Clara.

July 29 - De Gea is substituted at half-time during United's 2-0 loss to Paris St Germain in Chicago. Afterwards Van Gaal says "we have a situation that is not favourable for David de Gea, us and the club he maybe wants to go to (Real Madrid)."

August 8 - De Gea watches from the stands as United beat Tottenham 1-0 in the first match of the season at Old Trafford. Van Gaal says he did not pick the goalkeeper because he felt he was not able to focus because of Real Madrid's interest in him.

August 13 - Van Gaal reveals De Gea told goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek he did not want to play against Tottenham. The United manager says De Gea will not play for the club until after the transfer window closes.

August 31 - United agree a deal worth £29million for the sale of De Gea to Real Madrid, with Keylor Navas heading in the opposite direction, but the deal collapses after the correct paperwork is not submitted before the 11pm deadline.

September 1 - United and Madrid issue statements blaming each other for the collapse of the transfer.

September 8 - De Gea plays his first match of the season - Spain's Euro 2016 win over Macedonia.

September 10 - De Gea's agent Jorge Mendes and members of the goalkeeper's family are spotted going into Carrington to discuss a new contract.

September 11 - United confirm De Gea has signed a new four-year contract with United, with an option to extend for a further year.

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