Former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce believes that his old club will “be fine” if David de Gea leaves to join Real Madrid before next week’s transfer deadline passes.

The Spanish stopper has been linked with a move to the La Liga giants for much of the summer, but despite his clear eagerness to switch back to his homeland he remains a Red Devil with less than a week of the window to run.

With Real known to be ruthless in the transfer market when it comes to getting the players they want and United aware that De Gea will be a free agent in less than 12 months’ time, there is a good chance he could end up at the Bernabeu within the coming days – especially as he’s yet to play a game for the Manchester club this term.

WANT MORE? >> Manchester United transfer news | Latest transfer news

And Bruce, who manages Hull City in the Championship, is confident that his old side will not be significantly weakened should their star of the 2014/15 campaign leave, with the form of summer addition Sergio Romero a cause for optimism:

“Romero has been fabulous,” he told talkSPORT. “United haven’t conceded a goal in the league yet, he’s done great.

“It [the De Gea saga] has dragged on.

“For their player of the year for the past two seasons not to be in goal seems a bit ridiculous really.

“I suppose [his proposed move to Real Madrid] will be happen before Tuesday.

“The boy has one year left on his contract and obviously Manchester United want a decent fee for him, otherwise he’s not going.

“There seems to be a bit of a stalemate, it’s not an ideal situation, but with the resources the club have and the goalkeeper they’ve got at the moment, they’ll be fine.”

[ad_pod id='ffc-poll' align='center']