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Louis van Gaal has conceded that David de Gea could be lured to the Bernabeu by Real Madrid - but has stressed Manchester United will fight to keep their number one.

The Spaniard is rated by United captain Wayne Rooney as the best goalkeeper in the world after a sensational season of points saving, man of the match displays from the 24-year-old.

His rise in form has alerted Carlos Ancelotti - with Real keen to make him their number one to succeed long-standing keeper Iker Casillas.

De Gea is also in a battle with the 33-year-old highly-decorated World Cup winner Casillas for the Spain shirt.

De Gea's Old Trafford deal expires in the summer of 2016 and an asset like the Madrid-born keeper would normally mean he is top priority for renewal by the United hierarchy.

But there has been radio silence over a new agreement and Real remain a huge threat.

Asked if De Gea was going to sign a new deal Van Gaal replied, “I think that is also a question between the player and the board of Manchester United.”

But pressed as to whether the Reds manager feared his goalkeeper would leave for La Liga if a deal wasn't done in the near future he added, “Everything is possible in the world of football. We want to keep him.”

United signed De Gea on a five-year deal in the summer of 2011 from Atletico Madrid for £20m as Sir Alex Ferguson's choice as successor to Edwin van der Sar.