Manchester United have hit back at suggestions they were the ones to blame for the collapse of David de Gea’s move to Real Madrid.

On a day of drama as the transfer window closed it Spain on Sunday, it looked like the impasse had come to an end between the two clubs for the transfer of de Gea, with a 30-million-euro fee being agreed and Keylor Navas moving to Old Trafford.

Shortly after the clock ticked past midnight, it emerged the paperwork hadn’t been completed in time. And with La Liga never having allowed an extension previously, it looked like the deal was dead in the water.

On Tuesday, Real released a statement saying United had taken their time to get the contracts signed and the paperwork sent over and assured fans they were not to blame.

Now, United have felt compelled to hit back over the fiasco, saying they have followed the procedures correctly and handing the paperwork over to the relevant authorities to the players could be registered and the deal ratified.

“The fact that Manchester United filed the paper on time was acknowledged by the Football Association, who offered to support that claim in any discussions with Fifa,” read United’s statement.

It continued: “The Club offered this assistance, as well as its own timestamped documents to Real Madrid but they have chosen not to go down this route. The Club is delighted that its fan-favourite double player of the year, David de Gea, remains a Manchester United player.”

Real Madrid have issued a statement on why David de Gea’s move from Manchester United to the Spanish capital collapsed at the 11th hour.

After a summer standoff in which the Red Devils refused to sell the two-time Player of the Year, Los Blancos and United were thought to have tied up a deal that would see Madrid pay 30 million euros for de Gea with Keylor Navas also making the move in the opposite direction.

But minutes after the transfer window closed in Spain, it emerged the transfer had sensational collapsed because the paperwork had not been submitted in time.

Speculation has been rife in the press all day about why there was a hold up, and who was to blame for the players’ registrations being sent to the authorities after the midnight deadline.

In an attempt to clear up the situation, Los Blancos issued a lengthy statement on the official website in which the club essentially claims it did nothing wrong and submitted the paperwork but that the holdup was down to Manchester United taking time to get the player’s contracts signed. While not specifically saying so, the statement also implied Real have no grounds to appeal meaning de Gea will face an awkward return to Old Trafford after the international break as he looks to rebuild bridges with Louis van Gaal.

Among the 10-point statement, were the following:

“Manchester United did not open through negotiation by the federal rights of David de Gea until yesterday morning.

“The Manchester United sent its comments to the contracts eight hours later, at 21:43 Spanish time, including minor modifications. Not being relevant, all changes were accepted immediately by Real Madrid, with the intention to register the player while both TMS and Professional Football League.

“Real Madrid, after the signatures of the players De Gea and Keylor Navas, sent the English club said contracts signed at 23:32 Spanish time, we await to receive the final documents signed by Manchester United .

“The Manchester United reached the final agreement with the representatives of Keylor Navas at 23:53 Spanish time and is at that time when the contracts are sent to the player to be signed.

“The Manchester United entered the TMS data from the operation of David de Gea, not those of Keylor Navas, at 00:00 Spanish time, simultaneously referring to Real Madrid transfer contracts signed. Real Madrid receives the full documentation at 00:02 and tries to access the TMS but it was already closed.”

To read the full statement (in Spainsh), visit the Real Madrid website.