David de Gea has described allegations about his private life that appeared in the Spanish press on Friday as “lies”.
The Manchester United goalkeeper, 25, had reportedly been sent home from Spain’s Euro 2016 training base after the allegations emerged in El Diario.
De Gea remains in France, however, and pledged to focus on training with the European champions ahead of their opening game against the Czech Republic.
He appeared at a press conference in Saint-Martin-de-Re to address the matter on Friday afternoon, saying: “I’m more surprised than anyone by this news. I want to deny it. It is a lie and a falsehood.
“It gives me more reason to stay with Spain, in the company of my team-mates. It’s in the hands of my lawyers.
“I’m very calm. I’m just looking forward to going out to train and enjoying myself,” he added at the press conference, which was broadcast live on Periscope.
“I’ve no idea where this has come from. I know it’s all false. We have to move on.”
De Gea, who signed a new long-term contract at Old Trafford shortly after a move to hometown club Real Madrid fell through in August, made 34 Barclays Premier League appearances and won the FA Cup with United last season.
This week the Spaniard made a thinly veiled criticism of his former boss Louis van Gaal while praising the appointment of successor Jose Mourinho.
In an interview with Spanish radio network Cadena Ser, De Gea said: “I came to United to win trophies and it is true that these last two years we have not been at the level this club deserves.
“But hopefully, with the change of coach, United will be back at the highest level.
“I think at United we needed a coach like him – a coach with personality and a winning coach.
“The signing of Mourinho is a wise move.”
De Gea has nine caps and will compete with veteran keeper Iker Casillas and Sevilla’s Sergio Rico for the gloves at the European Championship. Spain’s latest attempt to defend the trophy begins against the Czechs in Toulouse on Monday.
Athletic Bilbao forward Iker Muniain, also named by El Diario, has denied the allegations.
A statement on his official Twitter account read:
“Following the reports published today about myself I want to state:
1 – That the claims made are absolutely false.
2 – That in the coming days I will appoint a lawyer to defend my honour.
3 – I hope that those fans who have supported me on the field will trust in me at this time.”
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