New reports have suggested that Erik ten Hag, manager of Premier League side Manchester United, is behind the club’s decision to not sign the dotted line on the new contract with long-serving goalkeeper David De Gea.
The Spaniard, who has been with the Red Devils since 2011 and, along with Phil Jones who left the club at the expiration of his contract after the 2022/23 season, was the longest-serving member of the team. The former Spain number 1 has also been one of the club’s most consistent players in that time, winning multiple Player of the Year awards within the club for his heroics season in, season out. He has also won two Premier League golden gloves for the most clean sheets kept in the league, the latest of which was the one awarded to him after the 2022/23 season which saw United finish in fourth place.
However, he has also been one of the club’s most clumsy players and that side of him has been evident in the last two seasons. Erik ten Hag, who joined the club this summer as manager, had to make do with De Gea’s error-prone ways while defending him to the media and to fans like a true manager would. It turns out that the Dutchman was biding his time till he could be rid of the former Atlético de Madrid man, as the latest reports suggest.
De Gea is now set to exit Manchester United after the club made a U-Turn on their contract extension agreement. The 32-year-old shot-stopper earned £375,000 weekly over the past few seasons and to show his commitment to the club, accepted a new contract to slash his salary by more than half. All parties looked set to sign the contract until United pulled out.
Reports claim that ten Hag has made it clear that he is not sure he wants to play with De Gea in his team next season, which led the club to hold off on signing the contract extension.
The former AFC Ajax manager is reportedly in favour of getting a brand new number 1 to take over De Gea’s mantle, which leaves the future of the 2023 Premier League golden glove winner in limbo.
To this effect, United are pursuing ten Hag’s former charge, André Onana, who currently plies his trade at 2023 UEFA Champions League finalists Internazionale. The Cameroonian goalkeeper is said to be valued at £50 million and it is understood that United have made a move to inquire about his signing. Onana is one of a number of targets which the club are looking at to replace De Gea.
