Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has explained his current stance on goalkeeper David de Gea.
The Telegraph reported last week that Erik ten Hag has not yet signed off on David de Gea‘s new contract.
The Spaniard’s current deal expires at the end of this season, and the Golden Glove winner’s new extension is still expected to go through.
In a new interview with The Times, Ten Hag has shed light on his stance over the goalkeeper.
Ten Hag hints new signing will compete with David de Gea
Erik ten Hag was asked whether David de Gea will be his number one next season, and gave a very tentative answer, warning the goalkeeper not to get too comfortable if he stays.
He said: “Yes, but I will not say he’ll always be my No 1 because in a club like Man United there must be competition in all positions.
“You can’t do it with 11 players. It is impossible. You need double positions.”
Ten Hag explained how De Gea needs to improve at playing out from the back and he does not feel the goalkeeper is where he needs to be.
He said: “It’s more what top football demands nowadays. If you observe the biggest teams, you have to be capable of playing from the back, and use your ’keeper as a plus one in your back, otherwise it’s very simple for opponents to put you under pressure.
“He [De Gea] had to step up. In a number of games, he showed progression.”
The calibre of goalkeeper Manchester United pursue to compete with De Gea may depend on the budget, with money also required to strengthen other positions.
Many feel goalkeeper should be a top priority. This weekend Roy Keane said he would let De Gea go and sign a replacement.
Ten Hag has obviously seen enough signs that he believes he can change De Gea, but this is a risk, and there is a strong chance a new signing comes in. Then there will be a real competition.
Ten Hag is spot on with his assessment of modern football requiring a ball-playing goalkeeper, and if De Gea does get his new deal, he may be on borrowed time if he cannot adapt.
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