David de Gea's Manchester United career may have started slowly but he's developed into arguably the best goalkeeper in the world right now.

Manuel Neuer's injury problems opened that debate up and De Gea's performances last season saw him continue a run of form that has seen him be one of the most consistently excellent players in the Premier League.

De Gea has become so vital to United that the Spaniard has won their Player of the Year award four times - a record at the club - but it's also seen him targeted by Real Madrid.

Making the link between Real and De Gea is an easy one considering the 13-time European champions need for a world-class goalkeeper and the fact that De Gea is from Madrid.

He even came close to moving there, only for an administrative error to collapse the move right at the death.

But while Real haven't managed to get him to replace Iker Casillas for them, De Gea has done for the Spanish National Team - although poor performances in Russia this summer saw him become a scapegoat for his country's failure.

Despite that, Real are in the market for a goalkeeper again this summer - prompting speculation of De Gea's desire.

And he's made up his mind.

According to the Manchester Evening News, De Gea is ready to commit his future to United long-term by signing a new contract and given Real's own commitment to signing a goalkeeper this summer, it would almost certainly end any chance of him returning to Madrid.

And his reason for wanting to stay? The United fans.

The criticism that De Gea has faced back in Spain after the World Cup has apparently only highlighted how much support he feels at Old Trafford from fans who have backed him up through hard times twice.

De Gea initially struggled when he joined United but the fans stuck with him and, as teammate Ander Herrera explains, their support when the keeper nearly joined Real meant a lot to him.

“We have I think the biggest amount of fans in the world," Herrera said. "They are very loyal.

“They have already shown that to him [De Gea] and he knows he's going to get them back.

“I remember that difficult summer when everyone was talking about Real Madrid and he played the first game at Old Trafford and everyone was singing his name.

“He told me 'This is amazing - they are the best.’”