Goalkeeper David de Gea will “100%” be staying at Manchester United this season, says manager Jose Mourinho.
The Spain international, 26, has again been linked with a move to Real Madrid, two years after a deadline-day deal fell through because the paperwork was not faxed through in time.
Mourinho hinted that United were open to selling De Gea to Real last summer, but said that stance has now changed.
“I can guarantee he is not going this season,” the United boss said.
Speaking about last summer, the former Real coach added: “The club was closed, but when a player has a desire to go, I don’t stop them. So, we opened it and they [Real] decided to close.”
Before the sides meet at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday, Mourinho also said he regarded Real’s Gareth Bale as being in the same “mission impossible” category as team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.
Former United forward Ronaldo last week ruled out a return to Old Trafford.
“He was never on my list,” Mourinho said of the Welsh attacker. “It is clear Bale likes Madrid. He is in a very good situation. I never felt a desire from him to leave. So why lose time and energy on that?”
