Man United says Real Madrid's 'clumsiness' in transfer dealing at fault for De Gea collapse

Spain's goalkeeper David de Gea grabs a ball during a training session with the Spanish national team in Las Rozas on the outskirts of Madrid, Spain, Wednesday Sept. 2, 2015. In a surreal ending to the transfer window in Spain, the much-anticipated move of Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea to Real Madrid never materialized. The clubs had struck a deal that would see Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas move the other way, but it broke down because the necessary paperwork wasn't submitted on time. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) (The Associated Press)

Spain's goalkeeper David de Gea reacts during a training session with the Spanish national team in Las Rozas on the outskirts of Madrid, Spain, Wednesday Sept. 2, 2015. In a surreal ending to the transfer window in Spain, the much-anticipated move of Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea to Real Madrid never materialized. The clubs had struck a deal that would see Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas move the other way, but it broke down because the necessary paperwork wasn't submitted on time. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) (The Associated Press)

LONDON – Manchester United says Real Madrid is trying to deflect attention from its own "clumsiness" by blaming the English club for the collapse of David de Gea's transfer.

De Gea failed to secure his desired move to Madrid before Monday's transfer deadline because the paperwork for the goalkeeper was not submitted in time.

Madrid said United's executives lacked experience in transfers and blamed them for the deal stalling. But United said in a statement to The Associated Press that the English Football Association will "back our case that documents were in on time."

United says Madrid seems "intent to move the focus away from their own clumsiness this summer."