Man United would NOT have been beaten by Swansea if David De Gea was playing, claims former Red Devils ‘keeper

Mark Bosnich says Louis van Gaal must restore David De Gea to the Manchester United team immediately if the Spaniard does not complete a move to Real Madrid.

Van Gaal has sidelined United’s Player of the Year so far this season amid intense speculation over his future, with Sergio Romero starting between the sticks in their first four Premier League games.

But Bosnich believes his absence has cost United heavily, with Romero at fault for Bafetimbi Gomis' goal on Sunday which saw Swansea claim a 2-1 victory, and he wants Van Gaal to forgive and forget if De Gea should not seal a move to Real before Monday evening, when the transfer window closes in Spain.

Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, the former Red Devils shot-stopper said: “If he does happen to stay, I don’t see any reason why Man United should not start playing him. He is the best goalkeeper there.

“They would not have got beat if he was playing yesterday. That is not being disrespectful to Romero but the bottom line is the second goal was his mistake."

But Bosnich admits he is fully expecting De Gea, who is out of contract next summer, to depart Old Trafford.

“I’ve said all throughout the summer he has made up his mind he wants to go and it is only a matter of time,” continued the ex-Australia international.

“The fact he hasn’t started and it has gone on so long, I wouldn’t be surprised if he went now or even in the January window.”