Louis van Gaal indicated that David De Gea may be on his way out at Manchester United.

The 24-year old goalkeeper is a firm target for Spanish giants Real Madrid and according to comments made by van Gaal on Sunday, his number one may be off in the summer.

Red Devils boss van Gaal was non-committal on whether or not De Gea would be off at the end of the season but he did hint that the former Atletico Madrid man was every chance of returning to his home city.

"You are asking things I cannot answer because I don't know," he said after the 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Sunday in which De Gea was replaced in the 74th minute after copping an injury.

"I have also said a transfer is an individual thing. It is a process. He has to decide because we have given (him) a fantastic contract because we want him to stay - fantastic season, I think.

"But I analyse his position and then I say he is Spanish, he is a Spanish international and now a Spanish club is coming. His girlfriend is Spanish."

Van Gaal added: "I don't think I can persuade him because he knows everything what he has at Manchester United. I don't have to say something because he can feel it every day. You have seen the fans, unbelievable.

"When he goes he is losing that. Here he has a lot of credits. He has to decide."