David de Gea has reacted to reports of his Manchester United departure, with a tweet hinting at boredom regarding the continuing speculation regarding his exit.
United have reportedly withdrawn a contract offer to the Spaniard, with a huge cut to his £375,000 per week pay having originally been offered. He has now reacted to reports, with a yawning-face emoji tweeted from the goalkeeper's personal account on the social media platform.
The Red Devils goalkeeper has been an Old Trafford stalwart for the past 12 years, with his service resulting in being named as the club's player of the year on four occasions. He was in good form this season as well, keeping 18 clean sheets to be named as the Premier League's golden glove winner.
However, high-profile errors during the closing months of the season were memorable for the 32-year-old, with his ability to play out from the back coming under question amid Erik ten Hag's expectations of more technical proficiency in possession.
Inter's Andre Onana is heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, with De Gea looking to be heading towards the exit door having had no deal agreed despite the player's deal expiring on Saturday. The player has largely kept his counsel throughout the negotiations, other than the odd cryptic social media post.
There remains the possibility that De Gea could become the club's number two choice, or that a new signing could provide competition. Last season, following a high-profile error against West Ham, Erik ten Hag outlined his faith in De Gea, saying “He has the most clean sheets in the league so we would not be here in this position without him.
“He fully has my belief. No concerns with him. It happens but as a team you have to deal with it, show character, be resilient and bounce back. We want him to stay and extend his contract.”
However, a new goalkeeper is thought to be high on Ten Hag's wish list, with Butland's departure making an arrival necessary. De Gea is also under pressure thanks to his manager looking towards implementing a new possession-based style of football at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag has previously outlined modern football's requirements for more technical skills from goalkeepers, explaining his stance earlier during last season. Talented options have emerged, with Porto's Diogo Costa, Brentford's David Raya and Anderlecht's rising star Bart Verbruggen all reported to have been looked at by United's recruitment team ahead of next season.
"It's not what I want [top footwork], it's more what top football demands nowadays." He said. “If you observe teams, you have to be capable of playing from the back and use your keeper as a plus one. Otherwise it's simple for opponents to put you under pressure."
