David De Gea's proposed move from Manchester United to Real Madrid collapsed last night after the requisite paperwork surrounding the deal failed to be logged with the relevant authorities in time.
Who was to blame for the failure of the move is still being apportioned.
There are suggestions that a deal might still be possible with both clubs reportedly ready to ask Fifa to ratify the transfer. Whether football's world governing body would agree is unclear.
But what now for De Gea if he stays?
The goalkeeper is yet to play any part for Manchester United this season amid the uncertainty over his future.
Louis van Gaal explained that he felt De Gea was incapable of concentrating amid all the interest.
"We decided together - David and the staff - to take the decision not to play because a goalkeeper is more concentration and focus," the Manchester United manager explained.
"He maybe gets only four or five times that he has to save an attack, and of course a lot of building up play, but it's more focus and concentration."
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal
It was reported later that De Gea wanted to be considered for action and was ready to play. However, Van Gaal refused to budge over his stance and summer signing Sergio Romero has played in goal for every match of United's season so far.
With the saga seemingly over - at least until the next transfer window in January - Van Gaal can now climb down from his tough stance and opt to select De Gea on the grounds that the player can turn his focus back on Manchester United.
Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets
However, how De Gea reacts to the collapsed transfer could prove pivotal to whether or not he features. Should he blame his current club for his proposed return to Spain falling through, he may make himself unselectable.
