Erik ten Hag has said that he wants David de Gea to extend his contract at Manchester United, amid speculation that the goalkeeper may leave the club this summer. De Gea’s future at Old Trafford is in serious doubt; he is out of contract at the conclusion of the current season, and after turning down the club’s initial contract offer, there is now a strong probability that he may leave this summer.
In United’s 1-0 loss to West Ham on Sunday, David de Gea made a terrible error, allowing Said Benrahma’s lose long-range shot to sneak past him and over the line. It was De Gea’s latest gaffe in a season littered with them. Nonetheless, Ten Hag has made his feelings clear about the future of his first-choice ‘keeper at the club after the West Ham game.
Ten Hag defends David de Gea as United continue to struggle to tie the ‘keeper down to a new deal
David de Gea got a lucrative contract in 2019 that made him not just the club’s highest-paid player, but also the top earner in the Premier League, earning £375,000 a week. The goalkeeper understands that he cannot command the same type of money at the age of 32, but he still wants a salary that matches his worth.
And Sunday’s howler even made the case worse for David de Gea as he failed to stop a weak effort from West Ham’s Said Benrahma. After bursting through the middle of the pitch and being rewarded a narrow space by three United defenders, the Algerian winger delivered a weak shot that appeared to be a straightforward save for De Gea.
However, as the London Stadium stood in awe, the ball squirmed in the back of the net, managing to somehow evade David de Gea’s right wrist. With his head on the turf and his manager angry on the sidelines, the shot-stopper had made his fourth error leading directly to a goal this season, more than any other top-flight player.
Perhaps the United board will now think twice about retaining the services of their ‘keeper on a new, and reportedly a reduced-terms deal, after his latest stinker. However, Ten Hag has backed the Spain international to continue at Old Trafford, as he said in his post-match presser:
“We want him (De Gea) to stay and we want him to extend his contract. We want him to be with us also next season. He has the most clean sheets in the Premier League, so we would not be in this position without him. So he has fully my belief, no concerns, that happens but as a team you have to deal with it, you have to show character, be resilient and bounce back and this team will do.
“Yes [it was a bad error], but mistakes are part of football. As a team, you have to deal with it and bounce back. It’s a team sport. Like you said, over the season, he’s the person with the most clean sheets. Everyone has to take responsibility.”
The long-serving Spanish goalkeeper, who joined United from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2011, is one of just two players from Sir Alex Ferguson’s era at the club, along with Phil Jones. United are rumoured to be looking for a new ‘keeper this summer to compete with David de Gea and possibly usurp him as first choice.
Porto’s Diogo Costa is one target for the Red Devils, while they are also keeping an eye on Brentford shot stopper David Raya. De Gea has also been questioned for his playing style, which some believe is unsuitable for manager Erik ten Hag’s system. The Dutchman’s possession-based philosophy necessitates that his shot-stopper be at ease on the ball and confident in his delivery.