De Gea: I Want To Stay At Atletico

United target, and long-term potential replacement for van der Sar, David de Gea has denied rumours linking him to our club and reassured the fans that he'll remain with Atletico Madrid for as long as possible.

"The fans can be assured that I am staying here. This club has given me everything. I am delighted and very happy at Atletico and I will stay here."

This is the player who you'll remember was deemed so good by Sir Alex that he couldn't simply allow his scouts to report back to him with news of how good a goal-keeper he is. He had to go and check him out for himself, missing United's 5-2 Carling Cup victory over Scunthorpe in the process. Only the third game he's missed in the 24 years he's been a United manager.

The gaffer will no doubt remain hopeful of getting his he'll get his man - especially with the looming prospect of our current 40 year old number 1 retiring - so I suppose watch this space. But for now, the Spanish 'keeper had this to say about the rumours:

“It is a tribute to hear of a great team like Manchester United being interested in you, it is nice, but I feel very calm at Atletico and I see no reason to leave. The club is great, and hopefully we can make beautiful things happen here. I have a lifetime ahead of me.”