United should sign Lloris if De Gea leaves, says Schmeichel

Schemichel believes the situation with De Gea, who was left out of the first game of the season at Old Trafford, should have been resolved long before the season started.

De Gea watched from the stands as United began their season with a 1-0 win over Tottenham on Saturday.

Manager Louis van Gaal selected Sergio Romero ahead of De Gea as he felt the 24-year-old would not have been able to focus properly on the match after a summer of speculation regarding a transfer to Real Madrid.

"If the player is not happy; his agent, himself and the club that want him should have sorted this a long time ago," Schmeichel told talkSPORT.

"It's sad that it's dragged into the season.

"I'd really like De Gea to stay. Two years running he's been player of the year. You don't let players like that go but if he wants to go, let him go and let Manchester United move on."

Both Cillessen, who played under Van Gaal for Holland, and Spurs keeper Lloris have been touted as potential replacements for De Gea should he be sold.

Van Gaal substituted the Ajax goalkeeper for Tim Krul in the dying minutes of extra-time during Holland's win over Costa Rica at the World Cup last year because he felt the Newcastle man was better at saving penalties.

Cillessen did not respond well, kicking a water bottle as he walked off the pitch, but the tactic worked as Krul saved two spot-kicks to send Holland through to the semi-finals.

Schmeichel thinks the substitution showed Van Gaal does not have complete faith in Cillessen and he believes Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris would be a better option for United if De Gea leaves.

"Cillessen is a good goalkeeper, but (Van Gaal) took him off for the penalty shoot-out at the World Cup and that shows some kind of no trust," Schmeichel said.

"I think he doesn't trust him 100 per cent and I wouldn't like a goalkeeper like that at Manchester United.

"If De Gea goes I would love Lloris to come to Manchester United. He has exactly the style of play and he is proven in the Premier League."