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David De Gea’s heroics last season literally ‘saved’ Manchester United from a future huge financial hit.

Without De Gea the Reds would not be on the brink of returning to the Champions League this season and the potential to share in UEFA’s biggest ever jackpot.

The Reds have recognised that individual feat with the lucrative new Old Trafford deal that has been on the table but has so far been snubbed by the keeper and remains in the pending tray.

It's why United have demanded De Gea’s suitors Real Madrid must break the world record fee paid for a goalkeeper if they are to even begin to enter negotiations.

MORE: Mancheser United demand record fee for David De Gea

The £32.6m Juventus paid Parma for Gianluigi Buffon has remained top of the charts for an incredible 14 years.

But the Bernabeu chiefs would have to knock Buffon off that pedestal and re-write the record books by some distance if they want De Gea.

United are not spooked by the fact De Gea will be a free agent in 12 months’ and leave for nothing.

They would prefer to keep the player they bought for £20m from Atletico Madrid in 2011 for another campaign...and why not?

David De Gea's best saves in pictures.

Last season at a conservative estimate De Gea won the Reds around 18 league points. Without sensational shot-stopping against Everton, Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Arsenal and QPR for example then manager Louis van Gaal could have been surveying a disastrous first year at Old Trafford.

United would have been way off the top four and Champions League qualification and actually languishing in ninth place just above Palace! That would have been far worse than David Moyes’ 10 month record that ultimately wrecked United’s proud long term record in the top tier of European football.

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Last March UEFA announced an eye-watering 46 per cent increase in prize money in the Champions League for the coming campaign.

The £40m windfall for a successful club doesn’t even include ticket money from matches.

Also on offer is record TV money. BT Sports’ new £897m for their three-year package rights to show the Champions League is double the previous deal Sky had in place.

That astonishing outlay could net United a further £30m if they make it to the top stage via the August two-legged play-off. It takes the jackpot on offer to around £100m.

Last season proved United wouldn’t be on the verge of joining in the battle for the new riches without De Gea’s input.

It's why they can afford to write off the meagre figures being currently bandied about to win his signature and play hard ball with Madrid.

MORE: Real Madrid launch bid to keep United target Sergio Ramos