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Manchester United hit back at Real Madrid over David De Gea transfer collapse

David de Gea of Manchester United looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea
Image: David de Gea saw his proposed move from Manchester United to Real Madrid break down before Monday's deadline

Manchester United say it is Real Madrid's fault, not theirs, that David de Gea's return to Spain collapsed on Monday.

The goalkeeper remains at Old Trafford until January at least after paperwork problems meant his £29.5m transfer broke down minutes before Spain's Monday deadline.

Real laid out their version of events in a lengthy statement on Tuesday, apparently pointing the finger at United over delays firstly in opening talks and then in processing documents for Keylor Navas, the Costa Rica 'keeper United demanded as part of the deal.

But United insist no talks were possible until Real submitted a bid, something they say did not happen until Monday morning, and that Real were "controlling the documentation processes of David, Navas and Real Madrid" heading into the final hours of the window.

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Guillem Balague has confirmed that Real Madrid will not be appealing to La Liga about the transfer of David de Gea

Their view is that the transfer faltered because Real failed to register De Gea's data with FIFA before the 11pm cut-off point, and a United statement even said they and the Football Association were willing to offer support should Real appeal to FIFA over the transfer.

Real say they will not go down that route, leaving De Gea's position unclear as he enters the final few months of his contract.

De Gea statements in full
De Gea statements in full

Read Man Utd and Real Madrid's full versions of what happened to the David de Gea transfer

The long United statement concludes: "It is our understanding that the deals couldn't happen because:

Also See:

- Real Madrid didn't upload David's documents onto TMS {(FIFA Transfer Matching System} in time (Manchester United did)

- Real Madrid didn't upload David's documents to the Spanish league in time, per reports it seems some 28 minutes after the deadline. The fact that Manchester United filed the papers on time was acknowledged by the Football Association, who offered to support that claim in any discussions with FIFA. The club offered this assistance, as well as its own time-stamped documents to Real Madrid but they have chosen not to go down this route.

"Manchester United acts appropriately and efficiently in its transfer dealings. The club is delighted that its fan-favourite double Player of the Year, David de Gea, remains a Manchester United player."

Keylor Navas of Real Madrid CF kicks the ball during the warm up prior to the La Liga match between Real Sociedad de Fut
Image: United wanted Real 'keeper Keylor Navas as part of the deal

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