David de Gea has revealed he is now 'very happy' at Manchester United where he 'feels loved' by the fans despite coming close to leaving for Real Madrid in the summer.

The Spain international was dropped by Louis van Gaal at the start of the season as he attempted to engineer a move to the Bernabeu before the deal collapsed on the final day of the transfer window.

Since then, the 25-year-old has been re-integrated into the squad and has signed a new contract until 2019, while returning to the form that has made him one of the world's most highly rated goalkeepers.

David de Gea (centre), pictured training with Spain, says he is 'very happy' at Manchester United

The 25-year-old has signed a new deal after coming close to leaving for Real Madrid in the summer

De Gea also revealed that manager Louis van Gaal surprisingly 'tells a lot of jokes'

DE GEA PREMIER LEAGUE 2015/16 Appearances 8 Clean sheets 5 Avg goals conceded 0.75 Avg saves per game 2.63 Avg saves per goal 3.5 Claim success 84% Dist. success 64% Punch success 63% Advertisement

Rumours persist that De Gea's new deal carries a release clause that will allow him to eventually complete his move to Real Madrid, although the player claims he is content at 'one of the biggest clubs in the world' while thanking the fans and manager for smoothing his return to the team.

Speaking to the ESPN Deportes show Fuera De Juego, he said: 'I felt in that moment that to extend my contract was the best thing to do. I'm really happy now, at one of the biggest clubs in the world, where I feel loved by the fans.

'Nobody let me down or disappointed me -- these are things that happen. You must look forward, and I am very happy now.

De Gea sits in the stands after being dropped at the start of the season as the Real Madrid saga rumbled on

De Gea has been in outstanding form since his return - conceding only once in his last six matches

De Gea and Spaish team-mate Juan Mata share a whisper as they keep pace in the Premier League title race

'During the market anything can happen, it can all change inside a minute. Football is like that. There were difficult moments, strange moments, but they help you to mature. To be stronger.'

United are two points behind leaders and local rivals Manchester City in the Premier League table and on the verge of qualifying for the next stage of the Champions League - with De Gea conceding just one goal from his last six matches.

The Spaniard, who is currently away on international duty ahead of Spain's friendlies with England and Belgium, has also revealed that Van Gaal is a surprise source of laughter in the dressing room.

'He is a good person. You can talk with him about anything you want, and face to face he is sincere. We have a normal relationship between a coach and player. We both want what is best for the club.

The Spain international was blown away by the United fans' reaction on his return against Liverpool

Van Gaal congratulates his goalkeeper after the 3-1 defeat of Liverpool at Old Trafford in September

TOP 10 KEEPER DEALS Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) £33m Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) £19m David de Gea (Man United) £18m Angelo Peruzzi (Lazio) £15.7m Jan Olbak (Atletico Madrid) £12.6m Petr Cech (Arsenal) £10m Fraser Forster (Southampton) £10m Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray) £9.9m Marc Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona) £9.7m Claudio Bravo (Barcelona) £9.7m Advertisement

'From the first I day I came back, after all that happened, he gave me a lot of confidence, told me I would play, to relax and keep doing what I had done before. He is a joker, makes a lot of jokes. Now and again he likes to do something so that there is a good mood. But we talk mostly about football.'

The former Atletico Madrid stopper claims he was taken aback by the reception from the Old Trafford fans when he returned to the team in mid-September's 3-1 Premier League win over Liverpool.