Gary Neville talks up Manchester United target David Raya

Add as preferred source on Google

Gary Neville has suggested that David Raya has what it takes to replace David de Gea as Manchester United goalkeeper.

United are in the mix to sign Brentford goalkeeper Raya this summer, reported The Telegraph, during the January transfer window.

The goalkeeper’s contract at Brentford expires in June 2024, and the report Raya says could be available for between £15-20 million.

Neville said on the Overlap that the Spaniard could step up, but also underlined the pressure any United goalkeeper would be under.

• READ: Five things we learned as Manchester United win the Carabao Cup

Gary Neville says David Raya could be a Manchester United goalkeeper

“Manchester United need a goalkeeper. I went to watch Brentford a couple of weeks ago – I’ve obviously watched them a lot – but what do you think of the Brentford goalkeeper, Raya?

“I think he’s going to become available, I think he’s only got a year left. I think he could step up. I think Raya would interest United.

“I’ve said it’s the single most difficult position in English football, being Manchester United goalkeeper. They come under more scrutiny if they make a mistake. It’s tough. That’s the problem they’ve got.

“It’s whether they can handle that stadium, that lull they experience when they haven’t touched the ball for ten minutes. They have to have unbelievable concentration.”

United’s goalkeeper situation does need sorting, with talks ongoing with de Gea over potentially staying but accepting a lower wage.

De Gea’s play out from the back has improved this season, although it is still not at elite level, and that would likely have been Luis Enrique’s justification for taking Raya to the World Cup last year instead.

As Neville touched on, we know how de Gea copes with being United goalkeeper; he has been doing it for years and has recovered from intense criticism on more than one occasion.

Raya being better with the ball at his feet would pale into insignificance if he cannot handle the pressure of being United number one next season.

Elsewhere in the video, Neville also talked up Harry Kane as a United striker target for the summer, and if big money is spent up front, Raya’s contract situation may make him more appealing.

That said, United cannot pick their next goalkeeper just on the basis of who is cheapest, and Ten Hag potentially has a huge decision looming this summer.