Eric Steele has implored David De Gea to remain with Manchester United.

The 24-year old goalkeeper is being heavily linked with a summer move to Real Madrid but the man that helped him settle in England wants him to avoid the temptation.

United's former goalkeeping coach Steele, who oversaw his move from Atletico Madrid to Old Trafford in 2011, believes De Gea can achieve plenty of success if he stays put with the Red Devils.

"We knew what we were buying, we were buying potentially one of the best goalkeepers in the world, not just in Europe," Steele told Sky Sports News HQ.

"Sir Alex had a great belief in young players in his 27 years but he'd never gone and got a goalkeeper at 19.

"But he backed that goalkeeper and the one that you are seeing now four years on is the one we expected to see, but we knew it would take time.

"Peter Schmeichel didn't go to United until he was 28. Edwin van der Sar was at United when he was 40. His best years are still to come.

"At 24, he's won a Europa League, he's won two U21 Championships. He's a winner. I'd put him in the top four or five in the world, but again, he's still learning.

"Personally, I'd love him to stay because I think he's done a fanatstic job. I'm hoping the lure of Champions League football might just tempt David but there's only one man who knows the answer of where he wants to go."