David De Gea, whose deal expires on Friday at midnight, is enjoying private time with his family in Spain this weekend; United do not want to call it off and face-to-face contract talks are believed to continue in time; reports link Man Utd with Inter’s Andre Onana
22:31, UK, Friday 30 June 2023
Manchester United are expected to resume talks with David De Gea over a new contract following his wedding at the weekend.
De Gea’s contract expires at midnight on Friday 30 June, but the 32-year-old is enjoying private time with his family in Spain and United do not want to interrupt that.
United, it is believed, will continue face-to-face discussions with De Gea in due course.
De Gea, who joined Man Utd from Atletico Madrid in 2011, has made 545 appearances since moving to Old Trafford and broke the club’s clean sheet record earlier this season, surpassing Peter Schmeichel.
The Spaniard has endured a tough season with several high-profile mistakes and growing scrutiny over his shortcomings in possession, but still managed to claim the Premier League’s Golden Glove award.
Take a look at the best Premier League saves of all time from Manchester United legends Peter Schmeichel and David De Gea
United have a number of goalkeeper options for next season, although talks with De Gea break down, with Dean Henderson returning from his loan at Nottingham Forest and Tom Heaton’s contract being extended.
Sky in Italy reports that United are expected to make a move for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana, who previously worked with Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag at Ajax.
Why Ten Hag wants a change at No. 1
Sky Sports’ Ben Grounds:
Ten Hag immediately identified – based on his preferred style of play at Ajax – that De Gea would not fit. His profile did not meet the criteria based on his new manager’s possession-based approach.
There were immediate problems with getting kids, as seen in the 4-0 humiliation at Brentford – a ‘disaster class’ for De Gea, but the result of not playing to the strengths of those at Ten Hag’s command.
Blame can be apportioned on both sides and the United boss has admitted there will be pain along the way as he tries to mold United in his image. Lessons were learned when the goalkeeper was instructed to kick long against high pressing teams.
United have made contact with Inter Milan over Andre Onana, and have looked at Brentford’s David Raya and Porto’s Diogo Costa. Ten Hag publicly backed De Gea, but the Dutchman never guaranteed he would be No.1 next season, even if he had.
Relive De Gea’s roar against West Ham towards the end of the season
Dean Henderson is back at the club after his loan spell at Nottingham Forest ended, allowing United to opt for promotion from within.
For De Gea, every stellar performance has been decontextualized by lapses in concentration. Ten Hag retain a desire to build a team that is comfortable throughout in build-up play, with a goalkeeper who does not hesitate to come off his line.
We remember how Said Benrahma’s shot was allowed to go through him in a defeat to West Ham, how he was partly to blame for all three of Sevilla’s second-half goals to knock United out of the Europa League.
There was then criticism of how Ilkay Gundogan’s second in United’s FA Cup final loss to Manchester City was allowed to travel so far without De Gea adjusting his feet.
In the decisive moments, in the key matches, how often has he been the man for the big occasion?
De Gea’s desire is to keep playing at the highest level. Taking another lucrative payday in Saudi Arabia would be an acceptance that those days are behind him.
United have other fires to fight this summer. In addition to the long-term takeover, there is a desire to recruit at least one new striker, with interest in Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund.
It is hoped that the transfer budget can be increased by selling players, in connection with the futures of captain Harry Maguire, Fred, Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial.
But all that would be pushed lower down the pecking order if the end of the De Gea conundrum leaves a vacant No.1 slot.
Was De Gea the difference in adding a top-4 finish to the Carabao Cup success, or would the 14-point gap to Man City have been closer with another goalkeeper?
Playing every minute, he certainly played his part – but the extent to which his presence defined United’s fortunes remains to be seen.
For all of United’s myriad problems to be addressed, the absence of a first-choice stopper would appear to be the Ten Hag’s top priority and sole concern.
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