Louis van Gaal is confident David De Gea will remain at Manchester United this month and is not worried that the prospect of a transfer embargo will make Real Madrid buy the goalkeeper now.
The 10-time European champions are appealing against FIFA's decision to ban them from registering new players for two transfer windows, starting in the summer.
That could force them to accelerate plans to sign players and recruit now because they will not be able to introduce new players to their squad until 2017 if their punishment is upheld.
Real have a long-standing interest in De Gea and a £29 million move broke down in September when the relevant paperwork was not submitted in time.
The Spain international subsequently signed a new four-year contract with United and Van Gaal believes he is happy at Old Trafford.
"I don't think that kind of thing plays in the mind of David De Gea and I never have thought that," Van Gaal said at a news conference.
"Now I am seeing David De Gea is enjoying staying here in Manchester United and playing good games."
United's other Spain international goalkeeper, Victor Valdes, has not played this season and has been deprived of a squad number and the chance to train with the first team by Van Gaal, who accused him of refusing to play for their reserves.
The Dutchman was asked if the former Barcelona goalkeeper will leave in January and he responded: "It is not to me to answer that. You have to ask Victor Valdes."
Van Gaal admitted he was taken aback by the upbeat reaction of United supporters to Tuesday's 3-3 draw against Newcastle, when he rued the loss of two points after Paul Dummett's 90th-minute equaliser.
"I think I was more disappointed than the fans," he said. "I noticed that on the street. I had a lot of support on the street but I say to them [the fans] that we lost two points and two points are very important in this period because we have to win points.
"After the result we have won one point on [fourth-placed] Tottenham, for example, but that is not enough. When you are in the circumstances we have had, then you have to win, that is why we were disappointed, also the players but the fans have seen also a match where we have scored three goals."
United had not scored three times in a game since October and Van Gaal said: "It was a long time ago."