Real Madrid president slams ‘inexperienced’ Man U over De Gea’s ill-fated saga

The 24-year-old Spaniard’s much-anticipated move to Real failed to materialize before Monday’s deadline due to miscommunication between the Spanish club and United.

“I think they just lacked experience”.

“I don’t want to lay blame at anyone’s door but we can not understand why they would need eight hours or why they wanted negotiations to take place in the 12 hours before the markets closed”.

The Madrid club have come in for ridicule in the Spanish press, but Perez, speaking on Cadena Ser radio, denied it was their fault.

“I had a feeling it wouldn’t happen on time because I couldn’t forget what happened the other year [with Coentrao], but we couldn’t leave De Gea in limbo”. “After what happened I have not spoken to De Gea but (Real Madrid general director) Jose Angel Sanchez did”.

“With the contract of [Cristiano] Ronaldo the same thing happened, but in the end we were able to do it”. “They have a new team and perhaps they lack experience”.

From the sales of the likes of David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo on cut-price deals and the more recent sagas of David De Gea and Sergio Ramos, Madrid have always seemed to get their way with United.

Regarding the possibility of an appeal when the deal broke down, Perez said he thought United only offered that option “so they wouldn’t look bad”. “He has not criticised the club so the fans should welcome him back“.

“At 13.30 [on Monday] Manchester United had all the papers but they took eight hours to return them”.

He added: “More than a year ago we decided that the future replacement for [Iker] Casillas was De Gea“.

United claimed through an official statement that they offered Real Madrid the chance to make an appeal but this was rejected.

Reports in Spain had suggested that De Gea may not get a fair crack of the whip for United, something that would be a big problem for him at worldwide level for Spain with the Euro 2016 finals next summer.