Rumors have linked the Spanish shot-stopper to a move away from Old Trafford, but Mourinho is not ready to let him leave.

Usually, a manager's fate is determined by his results. This time, Manchester United execs could be forced to search for another coach if they end up selling David De Gea.

According to ESPN pundit Craig Burley, The Special One has already made up his mind about his future, and only De Gea's departure from the club would force him to step down as Manchester United's boss.

Burley's sources claim that, even if Real Madrid shows interest in signing De Gea, the team's hierarchy would think twice about that prospect, since such a move would surely be frowned upon by fans, and would also force them to look for another boss.

Burley's answer to the question "Where will David De Gea play next year?" shed some light on the case.

"The smart money would say Real Madrid but I think he’s going to stay and I tell you why. I think if they were to sell him it could ultimately mean Mourinho just walks. They can ill-afford for him to go to Real Madrid and they have the money to make him stay," Burley said.

De Gea has racked up 19 clean sheets this season for Manchester United, and given the team's recent failure to succeed in the UEFA Champions League, the decision will ultimately be taken by the footballer.

That could change because of the player, I don’t know but they will fight tooth and nail to keep him. At the moment, he’s the most important player for Man Utd, the best player," Burley added.

Reports coming in from England suggest that Jose Mourinho is planning an overhaul of Manchester United's squad, which would involve eight players to be sold. De Gea, Pogba, Alexis Sánchez and Romelu Lukaku are deemed as the backbone of Mourinho's 2018-19 project, and losing the goalkeeper would see him walking away from that endeavor.