lvg: de gea must pick

The Spaniard lined out for United in yesterday's 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal but that could possibly be his last Old Trafford appearance as the 24-year-old is being heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, the La Liga outfit in the hunt for a keeper to replace Iker Casillas after a disappointing season.

His age, nationality and experience could combine to make him Real's No. 1 target over the summer and boss Van Gaal fears that holding on to de Gea is not guaranteed.

"He will not leave us easily as we have a great club and he wants to participate. But he is Spanish. And he could go to a great club. It is difficult for him to decide," van Gaal said after the 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

Another player who could be leaving United at the end of the season is striker Radamel Falcao, whose season-long loan from Monaco is coming to an end.

United have an option to buy but the Colombian has failed to impress and he was substituted on 61 minutes after another fruitless performance.

Van Gaal insisted no decisions had been made about the 29-year-old.

He said: "You know how the situation is of Falcao. At the end of the season we will decide." United finish off the season away to Hull City next Sunday, where former United man Steve Bruce knows that his old club could send the Tigers down to the Championship.

"Maybe Man U owe me something after wrecking my knee, my hip and my ankle," he joked, aware that his side now need to beat United on the final day of the campaign to ensure safety.