Jose Mourinho remains confident that David de Gea will sign a new contract at Manchester United as the Spanish goalkeeper “wants to stay”.
The Red Devils are in danger of seeing a key performer head towards the end of his current deal.
De Gea’s terms are due to expire in the summer of 2019, but there is a 12-month option in that agreement which will be triggered if required.
United are hoping that clause will not need to be activated, with a long-term extension considered to be a top priority.
Mourinho is optimistic when it comes to talks, with the Portuguese telling reporters after seeing De Gea produce more crucial stops in a 1-0 victory over Young Boys: “He's a world class player.
“He's the best goalkeeper in the world and if our ambitions are to be a big club, to be a winning club, you need the best goalkeeper in the world and you need also some other players the best in the world.
“We have the best goalkeeper in the world and I know he wants to stay, I know his agent is happy to do what the player wants and I also know the board want him to stay and they are working on that.
“So hopefully sooner or later they reach a conclusion.”
De Gea has enjoyed a record-breaking spell at Old Trafford.
He initially struggled to settle in England after arriving from Atletico Madrid in 2011, but fought through those troubles to become one of the best in the business.
Premier League, League Cup, FA Cup and Europa League successes have been taken in with the Red Devils, while no player in United’s illustrious history can claim to have bettered his haul of four Player of the Year awards.
His value to the cause cannot be overstated, with a reliable last line of defence having bailed the Red Devils out on countless occasions.
De Gea was the man for the big occasion once again against Young Boys, with a late effort from Marouane Fellaini carrying Mourinho’s side through to the last 16 of the Champions League.