Edwin van der Sar has insisted that David de Gea is not "irreplaceable" at Manchester United.
The Spaniard was signed as Van der Sar's replacement back in 2011 when he joined the club for £18.3m from Atletico Madrid.
De Gea has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer as his contract with the Red Devils expires at the end of next season.
However, the Dutchman believes that United are more than capable of finding a worthy replacement for the 24-year-old should he leave Old Trafford.
"Nobody is irreplaceable, that's always the case," Van der Sar is quoted as saying by The Mirror.
"At the start of the season you start with 11 players. A new player may need a little bit of adjustment or will take some time to see how the Premier League works and the different type of football.
"But I'm sure United, if David is going to leave, are going to find a good successor."
United have been linked with moves for Hugo Lloris and Jasper Cillessen should De Gea leave the club.
