There is no doubt that without David de Gea, Manchester United will be far worse off in the race for the Premier League title.

The Spaniard has been in imperious form so far this season, to the extent that many now believe that he is the best goalkeeper in world football.

That point can be no greater emphasised than his performance against Arsenal in early December, where De Gea made an incredible 14 saves as he helped his side to a 3-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium.

And after that astonishing performance, Jose Mourinho also advocated that idea. 

"You need the keeper to be there for you when the team needs," Mourinho said after the game. "I told De Gea after the match, what I saw today was the best from a goalkeeper in the world."

But such performances have attracted interest from Real Madrid, and there have been concerns for some time in Manchester that their star man will eventually leave the club for the Spanish giants.

MAN UNITED'S PLAN TO KEEP DE GEA

Mourinho has reiterated his desire on numerous occasions to keep hold of De Gea, and according to the Sun, Man United have now come up with a plan in order to do so.

The Sun report that the Red Devils are ready to offer the former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper a £90,000 pay rise, upping his contract from £210,000-a-week to £300,000-a-week.

That would make him the joint highest paid player at the club, alongside Paul Pogba.

De Gea's current contract is set to run out in 2019, and Man United are willing to seal his long-term future at the club by handing him a five year deal.

With De Gea's future still in the balance, his current employers are intending to sort out the deal before the end of the season and have it signed before he leaves for the World Cup.

Man United fans will be hoping that their side break the bank for a few high profile signings in 2018, but securing the long-term future of the world's best goalkeeper will undoubtedly be their main priority this year.