Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland has backed David de Gea to re-establish himself as Manchester United's first choice after the Spaniard's protracted move to Real Madrid fell through.

The United shot-stopper's transfer to Los Blancos collapsed after a paperwork glitch on transfer deadline day, with both clubs seemingly keen to blame each other for the failure.

However, Butland believes that De Gea will now put the saga behind him and return to the kind of form that saw him win the Red Devils' Player of the Year award last term.

England goalkeeper Butland told reporters: "I'm sure he'll be eager to get back onto the pitch and sometimes that's the best way to go about it.

"I'm sure he's raring to go, firstly with Spain and then obviously when he gets back to Manchester. He'll want to show everyone what a great goalkeeper he is. I'm sure it's a tough time for him, but he's been through them before and is now an incredible goalkeeper.

"I'm sure he'll bounce back and show us the goalkeeper that we know he is."

United host Liverpool after the international break on September 12.