David De Gea latest: Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel tells Louis van Gaal to 'fight' to stop Real Madrid switch

Louis van Gaal must "fight tooth and nail" to stop David De Gea leaving Manchester United for Real Madrid, says Peter Schmeichel.

The club's greatest ever goalkeeper has stepped in amid the growing likelihood that the Spain international will move to the Bernabeu this summer. Real Madrid want to make the 24-year-old the long-term successor to Iker Casillas.

But despite the Spanish club's efforts to sign De Gea and the Spaniard's apparent eagerness to return to his homeland, Schmeichel says United must remember the contribution the stopper made last season and with that in mind, do all they can to block the move.

"Whatever David would want in a new contract, if I were Van Gaal, I would fight tooth and nail to keep him happy in Manchester," said Schmeichel.

"Let's face it, the number of games where David saved United three points or one point is the reason why they were fourth in the table. He has just been unbelievable."

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If De Gea remains, Schmeichel has backed him to surpass his own haul of 15 trophies as a Manchester United player.

"I would be upset if he left this summer because I'm certain he could go on to make multiple hundreds of appearances for United - and end up winning more medals than me," Schmeichel told The Sun on Sunday.

"There is no reason I can see why he wouldn't be successful if he stayed for the rest of his career."

The latest reports suggest Manchester United are holding out for £32.6m, despite De Gea having just a year to run on his contract.