Come on in and join the club! Get our daily Manchester United email newsletter Sign me up! Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Forget Gareth Bale or Mats Hummels, Manchester United’s most important signing this summer will be a player already at the club.

That’s the view of one club legend who says they must tie down goalkeeper David De Gea to be in with any chance of being crowned champions next season, report the Manchester Evening News.

The Spaniard has wowed fans with his displays this season and has been nominated by his peers as player of the year.

However there been much speculation that giants Real Madrid may try and lure him back to his homeland.

And Phil Neville says the Reds hierarchy must rebuff any overtures, and tie him down to a new deal.

The treble winner says he has been left stunned at the youngster’s transformation after joining from Athletico Madrid for £17.8 million in 2012.

Bury-born Phil said: “The biggest thing is David De Gea, and keeping him at the football club.

“From when he first came, to how he is now, I don’t think I’ve seen a player develop and improve as quickly as him.

“I saw with Cristiano (Ronaldo), I saw the development in terms of his performance, his size, his stature and his physique.

“He’s now at the stage where you’d say he’s world-class.

In pictures - Chelsea 1-0 United:

“He’s winning football games on his own. It’s a flippant thing to say but he really has.

“Last minutes saves against Everton, Hull, Arsenal away - there’s seven or eight occasions where he has won United games which just shows you that he is world-class.

“And if they can hold on to the shot stopper, Neville says his old side can go all the way next term.”

(Image: PA)

He said: “I think what has happened - the performances at Anfield and Stamford Bridge I think have let the whole Premier League know Man United will be a force next season.

“I don’t think just finishing in the Champions League won’t be the aim.

“I think from day the words coming out of the mouth of Louis Van Gaal, and the fans, will be ‘we want to win the Premier League title back.’

“It’s okay saying those words but I think the end to this season has proved that that will be achievable.”