Manchester United: Louis van Gaal was unsure of David de Gea's ability at the start of the season

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has admitted that he was unsure of goalkeeper David De Gea when he took over as manager last summer, but was proven wrong during the course of the season.

The Spanish goalkeeper was named Sir Matt Busby player of the season after some impressive performances for United throughout the campaign and it was the second season in a row that he won the coveted trophy, making him only the fourth player in the history of the club to do so.

The Dutch manager was linked with various goalkeepers last summer as he remained unconvinced by the former Atletico Madrid stopper, but despite a shaky start to the season, the Spaniard recovered and went on to play a key role in United's climb up the table, which eventually saw them grab the final place in the top four of the Premier League.

"He has made very good development this year because in the beginning I was not so sure of him," Van Gaal said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.

"But now he is fantastic and has saved us a lot of times," the former Bayern Munich manager added.

De Gea is one of the key reasons along with Wayne Rooney that United managed to beat Liverpool to the final Champions League spot, and the manager admitted that the keeper had saved them on more than one occasion during the season.

The 24-year-old stopper, who has just one year remaining on his current deal has been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford with 10-time European champions Real Madrid touted to be his next destination.

Van Gaal is hoping that the keeper will remain at the club, but believes that the final decision will rest with the player, who has until now failed to accept the lucrative offer made by the club.

Iker Casillas, the current Real number one has also welcomed the club's move for the Spaniard, and is awaiting the competition that his arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu will bring.