Contract negotiations drag on for months. If, during these convoluted discussions, De Gea’s performances were such that it became clear to the manager that the player was no longer part of his plans, withdrawing the offer and not making him a new one, or offering him one on significantly reduced terms, would seem the right thing for the club to do from a business perspective.
I have absolutely no doubt the full and accurate account will not be in the public domain. Of course, the one which shows the club in a poor light will be plastered all over the back pages.
And equally, if De Gea had played a blinder Utd would have chased him and, potentially, offered more. It’s a non-story that’s been overhyped to sell column space.