Phil Neville has said that he expects David de Gea to be a Manchester United player next season if the club qualifies for the Champions League.

The 24-year-old has produced a number of impressive displays in his four years at the Reds, but in recent months he has constantly been linked with a big-money move to Real Madrid.

Although Neville believes that De Gea may be tempted to join the Spanish giants, he is confident that the return of European football to Old Trafford will convince him to stay put.

"In terms of David de Gea I think the thing he's waiting for is to see if United qualify for the Champions League," he told Ladbrokes News.

"It's a big deal for footballers nowadays, it certainly is for players at United who want to play at the top level. So for David, who is one of the best keepers in world football at the moment, playing Champions League football is key to him and if United can qualify for the Champion League I think you'll see De Gea stay at Old Trafford."

"There is always the worry with Spanish players that eventually they will want to play for Real or Barca. [Iker] Casillas isn't get any younger and is maybe in his final season at Madrid and you know they'll be looking for a new keeper but United need to do everything in their power to keep the best young keeper – along with Thibaut Courtois – in the world."

De Gea has kept 10 clean sheets for United this season to help them up to fourth in the Premier League table.