Andy Cole has insisted that David de Gea should be reinstated to the Manchester United starting lineup.

The goalkeeper, who has been United's Player of the Season for the last two campaigns, has not featured for the club this season as speculation over his future at Old Trafford intensified.

It appeared that the 24-year-old would leave the club on Monday when United agreed a fee for his services with Real Madrid, who were prepared to let Keylor Navas move in the opposite direction, but the move fell through because of paperwork issues.

Now that it has been confirmed that De Gea will stay put for the time being at least, former United striker Cole has encouraged manager Louis van Gaal to put aside any differences with the keeper because the team "need him".

"I know David and know a lot of people who know him too. I've never heard any of them say a bad word against him. He's not greedy or snidey, nor argumentative or unprofessional. He never said that he didn't want to play for Manchester United - it's all good," Cole wrote in his Eurosport column.

"He's no good to United as a number two or playing in the Under-21s. Get him in the team because United need him. I'm sure he'll be fine in playing for the club again. He's one of the best two goalkeepers in the world and that's the bottom line. If you want to win football matches then you want him in your team."

Recent speculation has suggested that having seen his move to the Bernabeu collapse, De Gea may now consider extending his contract with United.