Real DeGea Deal on Football Leaks

David de Gea was set to earn £9.2m a year until 2021 at Real Madrid had he completed a move from Manchester United last summer, according to the Football Leaks website.

United and Madrid in August agreed a £29m transfer that would have seen the goalkeeper swap Old Trafford for the Bernabéu, but the proposed switch fell through after the requisite paperwork was not submitted before the Spanish deadline.

On Monday, Football Leaks published a document it claims is the contract De Gea was due to sign at Madrid. It shows the Spain international would have received a figure of €11,818,182 (£9.2m) for each season from 2015-16 to 2020-21.

There is also mention of a break clause of €500m (£388m), which De Gea would have been obliged to pay if he walked out on his contract.

Only a few days after the move failed to materialise, United announced De Gea – who joined them from Atlético Madrid on a five-year deal in 2011 – had signed a new four-year contract, with an option to extend for a further year.

That deal was reportedly worth £200,000 per week. The figures from the Football Leaks document equate to around £176,000 per week.

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De Gea Gets No Van der Sympathy

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar insists David de Gea has to "deal" with his tough start to life at the club.

De Gea, 21, was signed in an £18.3m deal from Atletico Madrid last summer following Van der Sar's retirement.

The Spaniard has attracted criticism after struggling to adapt in his first months in the Premier League.

"He has to deal with that. They paid a lot of money for him and he has to come through that," Van der Sar said.

"It's always difficult if you're coming into a new club and new league, especially the English one. It's a very demanding one and can be very tough."

De Gea's ongoing problems, coupled with Anders Lindegaard being out for a month with an ankle problem, has led to some speculation that Sir Alex Ferguson could ask Van der Sar to follow Paul Scholes out of retirement.

Former Ajax, Juventus and Fulham goalkeeper Van der Sar, 41, called time on his career at the end of last season, bringing an impressive six-year spell at United to a close.

Ferguson has dismissed any suggestion that the Dutchman, who has described Lindegaard's performances this season as "magnificent", could return to Old Trafford as a player.

Edwin van der Sar won four Premier League titles, one Champions League and two League Cups in his six years at Old Trafford.

Van der Sar also maintains that, while he is not surprised to see Scholes back at United, he has no intention of reconsidering retirement.

He added: "I got a few text messages from friends saying, 'What about you?' I'm quite happy at the moment. There's no doubt in my mind.

"I was at (United's training ground) Carrington and Scholes was watching a training session and I said 'So, how do you like it?'.

"He said, 'Not really. I miss it'. He was still there doing his work as an assistant coach with the reserve team so it was probably a little bit easier to get back in."

Van der Sar believes his old club have shown their character since the turn of the year.

Ferguson's side are two points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City and Van der Sar believes his old team can win a fifth title in six seasons.

He said: "I think United have had a reasonably strong, competitive last month.

"I see the qualities United have and the tactics Ferguson can deploy. Hopefully that can be enough for another title."

Ferguson Boosts De Gea

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes goalkeeper David de Gea has been put under extra pressure by virtue of playing for the champions.

"When you make a mistake at United, it is highlighted and can be exaggerated a little bit," said Ferguson.

De Gea, signed from Atletico Madrid for £18.9m in June, is set to return to the team for his side's Premier League visit to Chelsea on Sunday.

The Spaniard missed Tuesday's 2-0 win over Stoke through illness.

And with team-mate Anders Lindegaard out with ankle ligament damage for at least four weeks, De Gea's return could be the start of an extended run in the side for the 21-year-old.

Despite criticism of De Gea for his role in both the goals conceded in the 2-1 FA Cup defeat by Liverpool in his last appearance, Ferguson believes his form will improve soon.

"They are mistakes and he wants to address it himself," Ferguson added.

"He will do so through maturity and the understanding of the English game."

United have not won away to Chelsea in the league since a 3-0 victory in 2002.

Fabian Barthez was in goal for the Red Devils that day and Ferguson admits he has struggled at times to find the right man to play between the posts.

"It is harder when you are replacing Edwin van der Sar and Peter Schmeichel. They are probably two of the greatest goalkeepers in European football over the last 40 years," he said.

"That is not easy. I found it difficult to replace them.

"That's why we went for a young replacement, who would develop and mature into the position because the potential is there."

Ferguson's Chelsea counterpart Andre Villas-Boas will be without defender John Terry, ruled out with a knee injury at the end of a week in which he was stripped of the England captaincy.

Left-back Ashley Cole will also be absent after receiving a red card in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Swansea.

But Villas-Boas insists his side cannot feel sorry for themselves after a trying few days.

"First, we cannot be crying out," he said.

"Man United will miss players for sure, important players.

"We have important players out as well but we have a very big squad, which enables us to go on and try to win the game and approach it in a positive way.

"So that's what we'll try to do, whoever is involved."