Former Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given has encouraged David de Gea to leave Manchester United.

Given believes that the Old Trafford shot-stopper will move to another level if he returns home to Madrid.

He said: “I was asked to pick a combined Manchester XI - and I've put De Gea in goal – that's mainly because we've seen more of him. And he's had more to do because Manchester City have been so dominant.

“He's been Manchester United's player-of-the-season for a few years now and week in, week out, he's been making massive saves.

“He's being linked with Real Madrid constantly. Keylor Navas isn't bad, he's a good keeper who is of a standard.

“But I'll be surprised if they aren't back in because he's that one keeper...they like their Galacticos, obviously and he could be the first Galactico goalkeeper.

“Manchester United fans will be ripping up the paper as they are reading this but De Gea would be a good fit for Real Madrid.

“His partner is Spanish, and there might be family issues as well. Look, choosing between Real Madrid and Manchester United is not bad, is it?

“He might be happy in Manchester but he's that good, it would be really bad if United lost him."