Louis van Gaal: 'David de Gea has never been a Premier League winner'

David De Gea answers a personal question during the Premier League game between Manchester United and Crystal Palace on April 20, 2016
© Getty Images
Louis van Gaal makes a blunder by claiming that Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has never been a Premier League champion, despite winning it in 2013.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal made a blunder on Friday by claiming that goalkeeper David de Gea has "never" been a Premier League champion.

The Spanish shot-stopper was part of Sir Alex Ferguson's title-winning side in the 2012-13 season.

Van Gaal also claimed that captain Wayne Rooney and midfielder Michael Carrick have only won the league "once, or maybe more than once", but they have in fact taken home winners' medals five times.

The Dutchman made the claims in his press conference after being asked how strange it is that United will be hosting Leicester City on Sunday at Old Trafford, where the Foxes could be crowned English champions if they win the game.

"The players who are now playing, they are not used to being champions," Van Gaal told reporters. "I don't think Matteo Darmian is used to being a champion and David de Gea was never champion, so I don't agree with the way you make the question.

"Memphis Depay was a champion last year [with PSV Eindhoven] so not many players. Rooney, Carrick, they have been the champions once, or maybe more than once.

"But you have to see always the situation of where the club is, and we have seen that we are in a transitional period, and when I was mentioned as the coach, it was also about that we discussed."

United are fifth in the league table, 17 points behind Leicester.

Jose Mourinho, Manager of Chelsea makes a point during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Chelsea FC and FC Porto at Stamford Bridge on December 9, 2015 in London, United Kingdom.
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CLeicester CityLeicester362211364343077
2Tottenham HotspurSpurs361913467283970
3Arsenal361910759342567
4Manchester CityMan City361971068383064
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd35179943311260
6West Ham UnitedWest Ham351514660431759
7Southampton361691153391457
8Liverpool3515101059481155
9Chelsea351212115548748
10Stoke CityStoke36139143852-1448
11Everton351014115549644
12Watford35128153642-644
13Swansea CitySwansea361110153750-1343
14West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom361011153246-1441
15Bournemouth36118174363-2041
16Crystal Palace36109173646-1039
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3689193964-2533
18Sunderland35711174058-1832
19Norwich CityNorwich3587203561-2631
RAston Villa3637262772-4516