Not many people would argue that David De Gea has been the best Manchester United player of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Time and time again, the Spanish international has bailed United out and kept them in games they have no right to be in.

So it was hardly a surprise when Real Madrid came calling on deadline day of the 2015 transfer window.

A £29 million deal plus Keylor Navas was agreed between the two clubs, but the paperwork was not submitted in time and the Spanish transfer window passed.

De Gea, ever the professional, got his head down at Old Trafford and has remained a favourite with the fans ever since.

Still, the rumours that he wants a return to his homeland persist and it is said that his partner desperately wants to return to Spain, too.

According to The Sun, the goalkeeper has just put his stunning property in Bowdon, Trafford, on the market for £3.85m. If De Gea is selling his house, does that mean he intends to remain in the area?

One could speculate that this means he is looking to make his exit at the end of the season and speculation has increased recently that Madrid will return with a huge offer in the summer to prise him away from the red half of Manchester.

United's No. 1 won't come cheaply, and it has been reported today that manager Jose Mourinho will demand Alvaro Morata and Raphael Varane in exchange for his stopper. That's a tall ask in anyone's book.

Mourinho would take a good-natured shot at De Gea after a slight error in the 0-0 draw with West Brom a few weeks back, but the Mirror reported that the 'keeper did not see the funny side of Mourinho's words at all.

The cracks are beginning to form and if United fail to qualify for the Champions League - either via a top four finish or winning the Europa League - then the Red Devils may be forced to part with one of their crown jewels.