David de Gea’s dreams of playing at the 2022 World Cup are officially over after he was left out of Spain’s provisional squad list.
Even with a provisional squad of 55 players, coach Luis Enrique chose to find no room for the Manchester United goalkeeper, AS report.
In many ways this is no surprise. De Gea has not played for Spain since October 2020, with Enrique preferring younger, more modern goalkeepers.
Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon is his number one, while Brentford’s David Raya and Brighton’s Robert Sanchez are both now regulars. Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga is among the extended squad.
But given the impressive recent form from De Gea, and the ways he is looking to change his game under new boss Erik ten Hag, he will have been hoping for a last minute call.
Instead he will be spending the World Cup in Manchester, watching on television. He is the second United player to officially miss out, following Donny van de Beek’s Netherlands snub, and won’t be the only one.
Victor Lindelof, Anthony Elanga and Scott McTominay will all be staying at Carrington after Sweden and Scotland failed to qualify.
Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial are both probable to miss out too for England and France.
De Gea future uncertainty
The disappointment for De Gea comes amid scrutiny over his Manchester United future, with his contract running out at the end of the season.
The Athletic report one option for United is to offer De Gea a deal with a reduced salary, and also states Porto’s Diogo Costa and Spain rival Unai Simon have both been scouted.
Last night De Gea kept a clean sheet as United won 3-0 against Sheriff Tiraspol. This was his seventh of the season, in a campaign in which he has been an ever-present selection.
He is giving himself a fighting chance of staying put – but Erik ten Hag will make the final decision.
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