David de Gea has reached an agreement on a new contract with Manchester United and is expected to sign shortly, reports said. However, this deal does not guarantee his position as the team’s No.1 goalkeeper. The 32-year-old Spaniard has faced relentless scrutiny following a high-profile blunder during United’s recent disappointing 1-0 defeat to West Ham.
Despite the setback, United’s headcoach Erik ten Hag, has publicly backed De Gea and expressed his desire for the goalkeeper to sign the new contract. The details of the agreement are awaiting final approval, with an official announcement expected soon. Nevertheless, De Gea’s role as the first-choice goalkeeper next season remains uncertain, as the club has been linked to several potential replacements.
Among the contenders is David Raya from Brentford, known for his exceptional goalkeeping skills. Also, Diogo Costa, a highly-rated Portuguese international, has emerged as a potential signing due to his impressive distribution abilities. Ten Hag values a style of play that starts from the back, emphasizing attractive football, and Costa’s skill set aligns with this philosophy. Moreover, Dean Henderson, who spent the current season on loan at Nottingham Forest, remains a viable option for Manchester United.
Recent weeks have highlighted Ten Hag’s growing frustrations with De Gea. The goalkeeper was at fault for two goals in the team’s Europa League semi-final loss to Sevilla, ending their promising European campaign. Subsequently, De Gea’s mistake in the first half against West Ham further intensified the scrutiny.
De Gea’s current contract is set to expire next summer, but Manchester United is committed to extending his 12-year stay at Old Trafford. Although he currently holds the title of the highest-paid goalkeeper in the world, De Gea is open to salary adjustments as part of the new contract negotiations. In an interview back in February, he expressed optimism about the ongoing discussions, stating his focus on the games at hand.
Some fans have questioned De Gea’s suitability for Ten Hag’s preferred style of play due to concerns about his distribution skills. However, the Dutch manager has publicly defended the goalkeeper, emphasizing that stopping goals remains the primary responsibility of a goalkeeper. While rumors swirl about potential replacements, it seems that Ten Hag holds a different perspective, considering De Gea a complete goalkeeper.
Interestingly, Manchester’s United right-back Diogo Dalot, an international teammate of Costa, shared his thoughts on the potential replacement for De Gea. Dalot spoke highly of Costa’s abilities and their close friendship, indicating that he has the potential to become a world-class goalkeeper. Whether Costa will join Manchester United or another top European club remains uncertain. Nevertheless, Dalot expressed his support and wished him success in his future endeavors.
Following De Gea’s recent string of poor performances, particularly in terms of passing, some United fans have expressed their desire to see him leave the club. The news of the contract extension was met with mixed reactions, but the revelation that De Gea is not guaranteed a starting role next season came as a relief to many supporters.
As a new chapter unfolds for De Gea and Manchester United, the uncertainties surrounding his future and the potential goalkeeper options create an intriguing narrative.