Manchester United 'expect David De Gea to remain at Old Trafford beyond close of window'

De Gea has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid during the summer window, but United officials have apparently told the BBC they are not preparing for life without the Spanish goalkeeper, who was signed from Atletico Madrid for around £18 million in 2011.

He was dropped by United's Dutch coach Louis van Gaal for the 1-0 win over Tottenham on Saturday with his manager claming Madrid's ongoing interest had affected his concentration.

Sergio Romero was handed his debut against Spurs, but De Gea could yet be recalled by Van Gaal as the season progresses.

De Gea's contract expires next summer, but United will not sell unless they receive a world record fee for a goalkeeper - that remains the £32.6m Juventus paid Parma for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001 - or Madrid are willing to part with Spain defender Sergio Ramos as part of a swap deal, report the BBC.

With the window due to close on September 1, it is unlikely that such a scenario will come to fruition with United apparently as determined to keep De Gea as Madrid are on extending Ramos's stay at the Bernabeu.

The likelier outcome appears to be De Gea walking out on United for Madrid when his contract expires next summer.

"He's our best player for the past two or three years so we cannot let him go so easily," said Van Gaal. "We want to sell at the same level as we pay. We want to keep him of course."

Former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel had criticised the club earlier on Tuesday for their handling of De Gea's contract situation. He advised them to sign Tottenham Hotspur's Hugo Lloris if the Spaniard left for Madrid.

"If De Gea goes I would love Lloris to come to Manchester United. He has exactly the style of play and he is proven in the Premier League," he said.