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Man United says Madrid 'clumsiness' at fault in De Gea spat

Published Sep. 4, 2015 12:41 p.m. ET

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LONDON (AP) Manchester United believes Real Madrid is trying to deflect attention from its own ''clumsiness'' by blaming the English club for the collapse of David de Gea's transfer.

De Gea failed to secure his desired move to Madrid before Monday's transfer deadline because the paperwork for the goalkeeper was not submitted in time.

Madrid and United have spent the week blaming each other for the debacle involving two of world football's wealthiest clubs.

Madrid president Florentino Perez said a lack of transfer experience by United executives was the reason the deal hadn't gone through.

Despite Madrid pursuing the goalkeeper all summer, United said a bid was only received in the final hours of the Spanish transfer window and that it submitted the necessary documents on time.

''The facts speak for themselves. The FA are prepared to back our case that documents were in on time,'' United said in a statement to The Associated Press on Friday. ''Real seem intent to move the focus away from their own clumsiness this summer.

''We all like to blame others but if you let one slip through your fingers into the back of the net, then ultimately the culpability is yours.''

United did not want to lose its player of the year who has only one season remaining on his Old Trafford contract.

The 24-year-old Spaniard was dropped from United's first six games of the season as the transfer saga dragged on but he is now in line to return to the team after the international break.

De Gea is now unable to move until the January transfer window at least.

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Rob Harris can be followed at www.twitter.com/RobHarris and www.facebook.com/RobHarrisReports

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