Manchester United has gotten a lot of flak for allegedly failing on purpose the transfer of their erstwhile starting goalkeeper David De Gea to Real Madrid at the transfer window deadline.
While the speculations have been clarified by recent reports, still the mental and emotional damages are done between the 24-year-old Spaniard and his Old Trafford bosses, particularly Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal.
The Daily Star reported that Man United's execs were able to submit all the necessary legal paper works to Premier League officials and it was Florentino Perez's camp that was not able to follow suit at the La Liga side, which led to the deal's collapse.
Meanwhile, van Gaal told reporters that he still believes in De Gea and that he is "confident" he can help restore his prized goalkeeper back in the starting lineup as soon as possible.
Meetings between the two are already scheduled, as per reports, in an attempt to rekindle a lost relationship during the summer.
All these talks and rumors were not able to change De Gea's mind, though, as he is reportedly still intending to move back to his hometown once his contract with United expires at the end of the season, as per Caught Offside.
If that's the case, then Manchester United is set to lose the £29 million Real should have paid them for De Gea as it would be a free transfer for the 6-foot-4 Madrid native.
However, if van Gaal would be able to restore his relationship with his prized goalie, keep him happy and back with the team's starting XI, then he may still be able to change the Spaniards' mind and make him stay at the Old Trafford.
Now, that is only "if" van Gaal wants that to happen.