Erik ten Hag has refused to confirm that David de Gea will be his number one goalkeeper even if he signs a new contract.
De Gea is out of contract next month, but Ten Hag insists he wants the Spaniard to stay and that the 32-year-old also wants to sign a new deal. Should he put pen to paper, then that could well trigger a goalkeeping merry-go-round.
It is suggested that Dean Henderson will be allowed to leave for Nottingham Forest on a permanent basis should De Gea stay. Meanwhile, the Red Devils could also add to their goalkeeping options - Brentford star David Raya and Porto’s Diogo Costa both linked with a switch.
Whilst Ten Hag has a number of decisions to make over who he selects between the sticks, he has already warned De Gea that he is not guaranteed to be an automatic pick next term. Speaking to The Times, he said: "I will not say he’ll [De Gea] always be my No.1, because in a club like Manchester United there must be competition in all positions.
“You can’t do it with 11 players. It is impossible. You need double positions.”
De Gea of course heads into next term fresh off the back of a decent campaign at Old Trafford. The Spaniard made 57 appearances for the Red Devils.
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His 17 clean sheets in the Premier League was also enough to see him secure the Golden Glove for the second time in his career. Meanwhile, De Gea also managed to end his wretched penalty record afte r saving a spot-kick at Old Trafford for the first time in nine years in the Red Devils’ final day win over Fulham.
But Ten Hag has warned De Gea he must get better with his feet if he is to keep his place. Replying to a question about what a modern goalkeeper needs, Ten Hag said: "It's not what I want [top footwork], it's more what top football demands nowadays.
“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.
“He [De Gea] had to step up. In a number of games, he showed progression."
One man who has already displayed his talent with the ball at his feet is Brentford goalkeeper Raya. Bees boss Thomas Frank has confirmed that he could leave West London amid interest from the Red Devils.
Speaking after Brentford’s final day of the season against Man City, he said: “I think we only have one player for sale. That’s the one that’s been talked about a lot, David. He costs £40m, I think I said.”
