No problem between Van Gaal and De Gea, says Mata

De Gea, the club's player of the year the last two seasons, was heavily linked with a move to Real throughout the summer transfer window but a deal failed to materialise as the Spanish club ran out of time.

(Reuters)

"I've talked with him a lot. There have been hectic and stressful days but he is such a quiet, centred person, nothing changes," the 27-year-old Mata told British media.

"The last two years David has been the best player in our team. His saves have earned us a lot of points. I have no doubt this will be a very good year, too.

"I don't think there'll be a problem with the club, the coach or the fans. That's what I perceive. The fans love him very much, he's highly regarded by the club and the coach," the former Chelsea playmaker added.

Fifth-placed United resume their Premier League campaign when they welcome arch-rivals Liverpool, who lie seventh in the table, on Saturday.

(Reporting by Shravanth Vijayakumar in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)