Twitter Reacts as Real Madrid Blame Manchester United for De Gea Transfer Fail

After the collapse of David De Gea's deadline move from Manchester United to Real Madrid, the Spanish side released a prickly statement blaming the Old Trafford club for the shambles:

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'2—Real Madrid, in spite of the difficulties this posed on the last day, agreed to begin these talks'

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) September 1, 2015"

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‘4—Rapid agreement made, Real Madrid forwarded Manchester United the documents at 13:39 Spanish time'

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) September 1, 2015"

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‘6—After De Gea and Navas signed, sent #mufc the contracts at 23:32 Spanish time'

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) September 1, 2015"

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‘8—#mufc sent the TMS data for #DeGea transfer at 00:00 Spanish time—Real received confirmation 2 minutes later, but already closed'

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) September 1, 2015"

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’10—In short, Real Madrid has done everything necessary, and at all times, to pull off these two transfers'

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) September 1, 2015"

The statement received a lot of attention online, drawing unfavourable comparisons with another recent PR own goal: 

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Would only have been better if Real Madrid had carved each point into stone like Miliband.

— Darren Richman (@darrenrichman) September 1, 2015"

A lot of fans revelled in the fact that it appeared Manchester United head honcho Ed Woodward was causing mayhem again:

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Real Madrid have released the following statement in response to the De Gea situation. pic.twitter.com/MehcUPcg4Y

— Shibani (@shibani_10) September 1, 2015"

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RT @ManUtd In light of Real Madrid's recent statement regarding the failed transfer of David De Gea, the club would like to respond: 😛

— Red Voices (@RedVoicesMUFC) September 1, 2015"

Others pointed the finger squarely at Real:

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The David de Gea debacle comes down to brinkmanship by Real Madrid. They could have paid the fee days or weeks ago.

— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) September 1, 2015"

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"You should have been ready for our greedy decision to try and stiff you by leaving it as late as possible"

— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) September 1, 2015"

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Bit unfair that the transfer window only opened for Real Madrid yesterday, if you ask me.

— Nick Miller (@NickMiller79) September 1, 2015"

And though De Gea looks like he'll remain at Old Trafford for at least another season, it might not all be good news for United:

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I'm happy DDG is staying his head won't be right, he'll go for free next summer & Man Utd haven't got 20 mil to panic with today.

— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) September 1, 2015"

"

That reaction from Real Madrid makes me think United will struggle to sign Gareth Bale by 5pm.

— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) September 1, 2015"

There may have been a touch of sarcasm and wishful thinking in that last one.

It appears we've finally reached the end of a fiasco that has lasted all summer and resulted in little happening at all, and it gives us the chance to reflect on De Gea's short Real Madrid career:

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David de Gea's Real Madrid career: pic.twitter.com/1FdmsmC9Of

— Not Match of the Day (@NOT_MOTD) September 1, 2015"

Same time next summer, lads?