Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reminded David de Gea of the faith shown in him by Manchester United as negotiations over his new contract continue.
De Gea’s current Old Trafford deal expires next summer, after the club triggered a one-year extension in November.
The Independent understands that United are now closer to reaching an agreement with De Gea’s representatives on terms and agent fees.
But United are yet to strike a deal with the goalkeeper, who has been named the club’s Player of the Year in four of the last five years.
Solskjaer offered no updates on De Gea’s situation on Friday but harked back to the Spaniard’s 2011 arrival, when Sir Alex Ferguson showed faith in him during a testing time.
“No updates from me,” Solskjaer said, when asked about De Gea ahead of the Premier League meeting with Southampton.
“The club and David are in dialogue, hopefully they’ll agree. It’s out of my hands but I’m sure we’ll do what we can. David’s done fantastic since he came.
“The club really showed how much they wanted him back in the day when Eric [Steele, former goalkeeping coach] and the gaffer found him.
“There was probably ‘keepers there better at that time but the belief the manager showed in him with the criticism he got paid dividends.
“He’s been Player of the Year I don’t know how many years. We’re grateful to have him.
“Then again we’ve got Sergio [Romero] and Lee [Grant], a fantastic goalkeeper dept. I don’t think there’s any manager in the world who’ll beat me in that respect.”
