David De Gea could get his first start of the season in Manchester United's clash with fierce rivals Liverpool on Saturday after Louis van Gaal hinted the goalkeeper could feature after emptying his head of transfer talk.
Just hours after United confirmed that De Gea had put pen to paper on a new long-term deal despite seeing a deadline-day move to Real Madrid collapse at the last minute, Van Gaal said he could be prepared to play the 24-year-old if he was fit enough.
When asked whether De Gea - who Van Gaal has omitted from his matchday squads so far this season - could start against Brendan Rodgers' side, he told MUTV: "You shall see - you never know.
"His head is empty now and that is important. He can focus. but we have to judge him in training."
Van Gaal also admitted he always knew De Gea would stay at Old Trafford even though he came to within minutes of sealing a switch to Real.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">David De Gea, doing what he does best... <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mufc?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-2945686-https://twitter.com/hashtag/mufc?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#mufc</a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://t.co/UJrffIhXsI" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-2945686-https://t.co/UJrffIhXsI" data-vars-event-id="c23">https://t.co/UJrffIhXsI</a> — Manchester United (@ManUtd) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/642341962922782720" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-2945686-https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/642341962922782720" data-vars-event-id="c23">September 11, 2015</a>
"Yes because it is confirmation of what I am always saying, that transfers are a process. I had hope until the end," he said.
"I am very happy that David De Gea stays because I believe he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He was my best player last year, not only chosen by the fans but also by the players."
Van Gaal has started goalkeeper Sergio Romero in all of United's games so far this term and, although he was criticised following the club's 2-1 loss to Swansea recently, the Argentine admitted he is prepared to fight for a starting berth at Old Trafford this season.
