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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Samuel Meade

David de Gea handed Man Utd boost after comments from goalkeeper target

Diogo Costa insists he "hopes to continue" at Porto amid links with Manchester United this summer.

The goalkeeper has firmly put himself on the map in Portugal after a stellar season in which he's kept 16 clean sheets. Porto have shown themselves willing to sell their best players for the right fee, but the 23-year-old appears very content at the Estádio do Dragão.

United have been linked with several goalkeepers as doubts swirl over the future of David de Gea, who was again under the microscope at the weekend. Costa though doesn't appear keen on a move away, insisting he plays for his "favourite club".

He was quizzed on rumours linking him with United and said: "That’s the internet." Costa also added: "It is a happiness and an honour to play for my favourite club. What they say is what they say, there is nothing concrete, I have a contract until 2027 and I hope to continue, let’s see."

Costa has a £65m release clause, with recent reports in Portugal suggesting United were prepared to pay the hefty fee. Now though it looks as if they will prioritise other areas of their squad, which leaves De Gea's spot in the team safe heading into next season.

The Spaniard, who has been a stalwart at Old Trafford for over a decade, has become increasingly error prone with mistakes costing them recently against Sevilla and West Ham. He was again criticised for letting Ilkay Gundogan's winner in the FA Cup trickle past him, but Ten Hag has refused to lament his goalkeeper.

Diogo Costa has been a standout performer for Porto (Getty Images)

He said in the aftermath of their FA Cup defeat: "In this moment, I don't want to talk about such issues of criticism because we played all a great season - including David De Gea, he played a fantastic season."

United's priorities this summer do not involve adding a new goalkeeper and, with his contract due to expire, it is understood that a new deal for De Gea will be announced sooner rather than later, albeit the Spaniard has had to take a pay cut on his mammoth wages.

Opinions continue to be divided on De Gea with Roy Keane, who has been a heavy critic, urging the club to seek a replacement: "I'd move him on quickly, he's not for me, he's not going to get Man United back winning trophies, absolutely not. This idea of everybody patting him on the head, it's just ridiculous. That's his job."

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