De Gea wanted

LONDON. — Manchester United appear increasingly confident that they have won their battle to retain goalkeeper David De Gea’s services for at least one more season, despite the lack of a contract breakthrough which has raised the threat of him moving to Real Madrid. United manager Louis van Gaal gave no signs of optimism last week of De Gea being persuaded to stay, after his best season for the club which saw him shortlisted for Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year. But the prospects of De Gea remaining are understood to have improved and it is thought that he is ready to stay until next summer. — The Independent.