The Reds stopper has backed his opposite number to return to the United first-team after his expected summer return move to La Liga fell through on the final day

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has little doubt David de Gea will become Manchester United’s number one again in the not too distant future.

The Spain international had lost his starting berth to Sergio Romero due to the uncertainty over his future at United, with Real Madrid keen to lure him away from Old Trafford.

However, following the breakdown in his proposed transfer to Real, De Gea could make his comeback for Louis van Gaal’s side in Saturday’s match against the Reds.

“It is always difficult to tell what is going on looking from the outside,” Mignolet admitted.

“The only thing I know is he is a very good goalkeeper who has proved himself to be very important for Manchester United over time. I think he has all the abilities to play again.

“The mental aspect of being a goalkeeper is very important so you have to go into the game with full concentration and confidence. That is a big part of your game and the Premier League is the most demanding league for any goalkeeper.

“When you are in a good frame of mind then the performance is going to be better. That is logical but I cannot say what is happening in his head.

“He played with Spain on Tuesday and he was ready then. He kept a clean sheet. But we have to look at ourselves and focus on our own jobs. It’s for Manchester United to judge whether he is in a good frame of mind to play.”