David de Geahas been in every minute of Manchester United’s season so far, but that consistency belies the uncertainty facing the club’s goalkeeping department beyond this campaign.
It could be that United require a total revamp between the posts next summer, with De Gea out of contract — albeit having a year’s option — and Tom HeatonIn the same situation. Dean HendersonOn loan Nottingham ForestHowever, he would only be returning to Old Trafford as No 1 while Martin DubravkaWe will be heading back to Newcastle United.
De Gea’s case sets the tone for the rest, with United having a decision to make on whether to trigger his extension. Erik ten Hag will lead that call, another sign of his influence at the club, and United’s manager wants to wait before making a full evaluation. “First we go to the winter and then we will talk about how we deal with the situation,” Ten Hag said last week.
There are many factors to consider. De Gea has been United’s main goalkeeper since 2011, will soon break into the top 10 of players with the most all-time appearances for the club, and was named the players’ player of the year for the last campaign.
De Gea with Lisandro Martinez after United’s win over Spurs (Photo: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
But his natural game does not correlate to Ten Hag’s vision. De Gea was more willing to step out of his box in order to stop attacks from opposition this season, but Ten Hag had the nerve to abandon his pass out from the back strategy. Following the calamity at Brentford.
De Gea appears to have made other adaptations. Twice. TottenhamHe fired a long, straight shot over the top to allow a team-mate behind him to catch it. FredThen Marcus Rashford. However, Ten Hag’s ideal strategy depends on a goalkeeper comfortable with his feet and willing to stand outside his area to support a high back line.
For a player on £375,000 per week when United are in the Champions LeagueTen Hag would expect a perfect fit with his system. Therefore, confirming another year of that salary is not a foregone conclusion. A season at full pay would cost United in the region of £19.5million.
One alternative, said to be a realistic possibility, is that United start negotiations to extend De Gea’s deal but on much lower terms.
De Gea In the summer, he stated that he had hoped to sign his future with United.He would be willing to reduce his wages to achieve this. The 31-year old accepts that he is fairly well paid, even with the 25% cut for United not qualifying for the Champions League. He has settled in Manchester. He is an introvert by nature and does not have a burning desire for relocation.
De Gea would still like to be No.1 at United. He would even have his salary reduced by half. This would allow him to earn earnings comparable with a player who begins every week.
United is currently looking for goalkeepers that match the Ten Hag copybook. United staff are monitoring Diogo Costa at Porto’s excellent season. Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon, 25, is another on United’s list.
Porto’s Diogo Costa is the first goalkeeper to save three penalties during a Champions League campaign (2003-04).#UCL
[@OptaJoe] pic.twitter.com/MiZF2tzTJI
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) October 26, 2022
Tony Coton, United’s chief goalkeeping scout, is leading the research and is set to be busy travelling Europe for the next few months, feeding back first-hand reviews to the club’s data system. The primary goal is to find a goalkeeper who is in good health to play for United in the next decade.
Ten Hag will be included throughout the process and money promises to be a factor, with United having overspent their budget in the Dutchman’s first transfer window.
De Gea would represent the lowest cost solution — even with high wages — because no transfer fee is required. Ten Hag isn’t closing the door.
“His first two games of the season were not his best performances but after that you see he brings us a lot for the defence department and stability,” Ten Hag said. “As a person, also, I like him. I co-operate really well with him.”
De Gea apologized for his actions against Brentford (Photo by Getty Images).
It is possible to expect that talks will go more smoothly than they did in 2019, when Ed Woodward, then-executive vice chairman, was frustrated at not being able to come to an agreement.
De Gea had an agreement to work with Jorge Mendes’ Gestifute agency, but no legal contract. Mendes tried to extend the agreement with United in 2019, but negotiations dragged on. United had already agreed to pay De Gea what he wanted, but Mendes kept adding clauses and modifying bonuses as the deal approached.
Woodward met De Gea at Carrington one day and asked him what United could do to improve the offer. De Gea was unaware on the specifics so they went to Woodward’s office and he was shown what was on the table.
There is so much love in this world. @D_DeGea! 🫶#MUFC pic.twitter.com/K78sVs4HsA
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 17, 2022
De Gea realized his needs were met and signed the contract on the following day. FA paperwork the player’s family lawyer, Jose Bouzas Aragon, listed as the intermediary rather than MendesDe Gea, and has not acted for it since.
De Gea was then removed from the Spain team. He was left out of Luis Enrique’s September squad, with Simon, Brighton’s Robert SanchezAnd Brentford’s David RayaYou can call it up instead.
If United were to choose to move in a different direction than De Gea’s, it would not make sense to trigger his option in the hopes of finding a buyer. While clubs may be willing and able to pay a lot for him, they cannot afford his wages. United would be required to grant him a free transfer in such a scenario.
De Gea would be interested in a return to Atletico Madrid if Jan Oblak leaves. There is consensus on the continent. Tottenham Hotspur is looking for a replacement for the 29-year old Slovenian. Hugo LlorisHowever, his salary at Atletico seems to be substantial.
De Gea has been pushed to the No.1 spot for 2020-21 by Henderson This campaign, I lobbied for an end after being demoted last season. Forest has provided him with a number standout moments, including two penalty saving and a spectacular stop. Virgil van Dijk’s header in the recent win over LiverpoolTen Hag may not see him as a long-term solution.
Coton saw Henderson play for Forest. Aston VillaThe 1-1 draw was held at the City Ground.
Heaton had hoped Heaton could be a challenger to De Gea, but Ten Hag demanded that a goalkeeper be appointed. Dubravka was then signed on loan late in this window. Surprised at the club, neither one has had any time in the club’s training. Europa LeagueDubravka, despite being injured for a time, was forced to withdraw from the SlovakiaSquad in September
Heaton, 36 years old, has been preferred over Dubravka to the bench in five Premier League matches. It is an indication of his standing among the group. He is part the team’s leadership team and is highly regarded for his ability talk to everyone, no matter how old.
It has been argued one of De Gea’s back-ups should have been kept sharp with a Europa League start, in case they have to step in should the Spaniard get injured. De Gea is likely to play his fifth Europa League match when Sheriff Tiraspol visits Old Trafford. Ten Hag hopes to finish first in group E.
De Gea is able to hold the gloves well, but there are still long-term questions.
(Top photo: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
