As eventful as the mid-season break usually tends to be on the transfer front for every team competing in the Premier League, the 2015 summer window has nevertheless been somewhat defined by one particular on-going saga alone.

Yes, Raheem Sterling certainly amounted himself a fair amount of attention after making his much anticipated switch from Anfield to the Etihad recently - yet even though that specific deal may take greater priority for all the Manchester City out there - David de Gea’s increasingly likely move to Real Madrid simply overshadows it’s counterparts this summer in terms of meaning and longevity.

As soon as the 2014/15 season eventually came to a close, all everyone from within the modern game seemed fixated on taking about was Manchester United’s supposed loss of their main man between the sticks, and the subsequent ramifications it would have on Louis van Gaal’s side ahead of the new term.

However, even though such a surprise analysis may seem hard to accept initially, would the Red Devils actually be left better off once this whole saga is finally said and done and David de Gea is officially announced as a Real Madrid player?

The answer may well be, yes. The 24-year-old Spaniard might admittedly represent one of the best goal-keepers currently operating in the modern era – but is David de Gea truly an irreplaceable asset for Louis van Gaal considering his options? Of course not.

[ffc-gal cat="manchester-united" no="5"]

Since long-term Bernabeu favourite and reliable Spanish shot-stopper, Iker Casillas, finally packed his bags from Real Madrid and opted to join FC Porto in the run up to the 2015/16 campaign, it was immediately obvious that the formidable La Liga giants would be turning their attention to Old Trafford this summer.

Such a notion hardly arrived as much of a surprise. David de Gea was undoubtedly in the best form of his life throughout the prior 2014/15 season, and whilst Manchester United largely let themselves down throughout the entire league campaign, the former Atletico Madrid ‘keeper nonetheless represented one of the few shining lights for Louis van Gaal.

Through a combination of his reactive saves and increasingly competent organisation of his back-line, de Gea was a player truly deserving of the praise last term. The Red Devils therefore wanted to attain the services of the 24-year-old ahead of the new campaign at all costs, and who could really blame them?

Should their standout performer from last term’s campaign opt to join Real Madrid and leave Old Trafford behind this summer, such a notion would simply knock Manchester United down a peg or two in regards to their once untouchable status on the global scene. The validity of the Premier League as Europe’s most exciting domestic competition would also have to be called into question once the move finally takes place.

Either way, it looks like Louis van Gaal’s side are losing out this summer – but now Manchester United know they’re likely to lose David de Gea in 2015/16 – the club simply have to push on with or without the talented Spanish goal-keeper regardless. The Red Devils can look beyond the 24-year-old shot-stopper this season, especially if the club receive the reported £29 million transfer fee from Real Madrid as compensation for the move.

Although it’s getting increasingly late in the day before the transfer window eventually slams shut this summer, Louis van Gaal could well combine the aforementioned David de Gea money with the supposed £45 million freed up from the sale of Angel Di Maria to PSG, to potentially land a world class striker or centre-back in order to aid his cause throughout the 2015/16 season.

Manchester United simply must strengthen other areas of their starting XI if they want to succeed this term. Whilst Sergio Romero isn’t exactly the safest pair of hands Manchester United could have sourced this season, he will likely step up in the absence of de Gea, and potentially prove his worth for the Old Trafford faithful sooner rather than later..

So then, even though no Red Devils fan ultimately wants to see the back of their departing Spanish goal-keeper this summer, Manchester United certainly must not feel sorry for themselves in their new lease of life after David de Gea. If his transfer fee is spent wisely and Romero finally steps up in his place this campaign, Louis van Gaal could be the one laughing come the end of term.

[ad_pod id='eight' align='center']

[ad_pod id='ricco' align='center']