Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy has come out fighting in support of goalkeeper David de Gea.
David de Gea has been heavily criticised after the FA Cup final, a game in which he conceded a soft second goal, and also struggled to pass the ball to his teammates.
Roy Keane said he is sick of asking for De Gea to be replaced, and a decision is due over his future, with his contract set to expire at the end of June.
Benni McCarthy believes Manchester United must keep De Gea, describing it as a ‘crime’ if he were to be let go.
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Benni McCarthy on David de Gea
Speaking to South African radio station 947 Joburg, McCarthy defended David de Gea and said errors must not take away from his qualities.
He said: “You see how difficult the league is so I understand that everyone has a bad game here and there, but it doesn’t stop him from being one of the best goalkeepers I’ve seen and I’ve worked with. He is unbelievable.
“I get to spend every single day with him and he is an unbelievable guy, a great lad, very intelligent and one of the best goalkeepers I have seen.
“It would be a crime if Man United lose a goalkeeper like David de Gea.”
David de Gea is still expected to sign a contract extension. The Telegraph report. However, he is not guaranteed to be number one, as United could sign another goalkeeper.
And that’s where McCarthy can still be right. De Gea is a top goalkeeper – even if he is not first choice.
United appear reluctant to lose him for free, but are expected to bring in competition this summer. It is up to United to be ambitious and try to sign a new number one, not just a back-up.
McCarthy is clearly a big backer of De Gea, publicly at least. Whether Erik ten Hag shares the same enthusiasm, his actions will speak volumes at the end of the transfer window.
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