Del Bosque: De Gea must play to go to Euros

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque handed a warning to goalkeeper David de Gea which will do little to cheer the player in the wake of the breakdown of his expected move from Manchester United to Real Madrid on Monday night.

Everything appeared to be in place for the transfer of the goalkeeper, who has spent the first month of the season watching from the stands as the deal unfolded, to Real Madrid, only for the deal to fall through at the last moment when Real Madrid failed to complete the paperwork in time to register him with the Spanish Football League (LFP).

That led to both Real Madrid and Manchester United issuing statements on Tuesday, each blaming the other. Madrid accused the English club of dragging its heels over the paperwork, while United insist they can show they completed their side of the work in plenty of time for Madrid to have pushed the move through.

Whoever is to blame, the breakdown of the deal leaves De Gea in a difficult position as he had been sidelined by coach Louis Van Gaal in the opening games of the season with Van Gaal arguing the keeper was not focused on his job.

With no chance of any move until January at the earliest and with the European Championships around the corner, Del Bosque made it clear when speaking on Spanish radio that De Gea needs games.

"I want him to play and to be happy and for him to play well, so I can take him, but if he doesn't play then it will be very difficult for him to come," said the coach.

It now remains to be seen what happens with Del Gea, but after Monday's events many believe he will now focus on Manchester United and could even sign a new contract with the club he had been just minutes away from leaving. Endi