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Jose Mourinho optimistic goalkeeper David De Gea will stay at Man United

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is hopeful that the club will retain goalkeeper David De Gea, who he rates as "the top in the world."

De Gea, 26, has been linked with a big-money move to Real Madrid this summer, but Mourinho is determined to keep his No. 1.

Speaking after Wednesday's 0-0 draw at Southampton, Mourinho said: "David is top in the world and obviously we want to keep the top in the world."

De Gea, who signed for United from Atletico Madrid in 2011, was the subject of a collapsed transfer to the Bernabeu in 2015.

Sergio Romero, who deputised for De Gea at Southampton and saved a penalty in that match, will start ahead of the Spain international in next Wednesday's Europa League final against Ajax.

"I don't go with [Romero can replace De Gea] 'if he leaves' because I hope he doesn't," Mourinho said. "We need two top goalkeepers and a top young goalkeeper and this is what we have. David is David and Sergio is Sergio. Spain's national team goalkeeper; Argentina's national team goalkeeper; it's amazing to have it.

"I'm really happy with both of them."

Asked when De Gea might be seen in a United shirt again, Mourinho said: "The first match against LA Galaxy in preseason in Los Angeles.

"I hope to play Sergio in the final and hopefully we don't have problems with the keepers."

Mourinho also indicated he could hand 20-year-old goalkeeper Joel Pereira a start in their final Premier League game of the season against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

"I hope to play Joel against Crystal Palace," Mourinho said. "I hope to play Sergio in the final. Hopefully we don't have problems with these two 'keepers."

Information from the Press Association was used in this report.