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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Manchester United player David de Gea shows support for Louis van Gaal after cancer diagnosis

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has showed his support for former manager Louis van Gaal after he confirmed that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

On Sunday evening, whilst appearing on Dutch TV show 'Humberto', Van Gaal made the shock announcement to confirm that he is currently fighting the disease. The Dutchman, who was in charge at Old Trafford for two years, was appearing on the show to talk about his new film - 'LOUIS' - in which his cancer is addressed.

The former United boss, who won the FA Cup during his time in charge, confirmed that the form of cancer he has is an aggressive one. He also admitted that he has had it for a prolonged period of time and that he has already undergone treatment on 25 occasions.

READ MORE: Manchester United send message to Louis van Gaal after he announces cancer diagnosis

Since the news came out, in a show of support for the Netherlands boss, who will lead his side into battle at the World Cup finals in Qatar in November, De Gea has uploaded a picture of himself alongside Van Gaal to his Instagram story. The Spaniard did not write a caption to accompany the image of himself, Van Gaal and the United Player of the Year trophy, indicating that no words were needed to show his support for the Netherlands manager.

De Gea won the Player of the Year award in both of Van Gaal's two seasons in charge at Old Trafford, meaning he won it three seasons in a row from 2013/14 to 2015/16.

David de Gea (right) with former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal. (David de Gea on Instagram.)

Revealing that he has been diagnosed with cancer, Van Gaal told RTL: "In each period during my time as manager of the national team, I had to leave in the night to go to the hospital without the players finding it out until now, while thinking I was healthy. But I am not.

"I didn't want to tell it to my players because it could have influenced their performances. I have a lot of discipline and willpower.

"I can do the job because I like it. I like to work with this squad. This is a present for me at a late age, this is how I see it."

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