David De Gea is set to sign a new contract at Manchester United amid rumours surrounding his future at the club.
United had an option to extend the shot-stopper’s contract for a further year but wanted to give him a new contract on a reduced salary, much lower than his current 350,000 pounds per-week wages.
De Gea made yet another high-profile error on Sunday in his side’s 1-0 loss against West Ham United, when he let a rather tame strike past him which proved to be the only goal the Hammers scored.
There is a growing feeling among Manchester United fans that the Spaniard’s best days are behind him as he is error-prone and also struggles to play out from the back. Erik Ten Hag’s style of play requires a keeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet.
There have been reports that suggest that De Gea has been warned that the new contract does not mean that he will be the undisputed number 1 at United next season. United have been rumoured to be interested in multiple goalkeepers like Brentford’s David Raya and Porto’s Diogo Costa.
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The Manchester Evening News are also reporting that United are interested in signing the Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen from Belgian side Anderlecht. The 20-year-old could be brought in as a long-term replacement as De Gea is eventually phased out.
There is also a feeling around Old Trafford that there are other positions in the team that need enhancement before the goalkeeper spot and hence Erik Ten Hag has backed his current number 1 publicly.
David De Gea joined the Red Devils back in 2011 and has played 540 games for the club keeping 188 clean sheets. He has the 10th most appearances in Manchester United’s history.
He is currently leading the charts for the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season and has come to the rescue of his club on many occasions throughout the season.
There have never been any questions over his shot-stopping abilities but with a growing rate of big errors and his inability to come for crosses or play with his feet, it feels as though the legend’s time at Old Trafford will soon come to an end.