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Rob DawsonCorrespondent
Erik ten Hag’s dilemma with David De Gea was summed up in two cup ties in 4 days final week. The Manchester United goalkeeper contributed greater than most to the shock Europa League exit to Sevilla with two calamitous errors, however then on Sunday made essential saves in opposition to Brighton & Hove Albion to assist earn a spot within the FA Cup ultimate in opposition to Manchester Metropolis (stream stay on ESPN+, US solely, June 3).
After watching De Gea present Sevilla two objectives in Spain, Ten Hag appeared in no temper to hurry to his protection, saying afterwards solely that the 32-year-old stays a “very succesful goalkeeper.”
He was extra talkative at Wembley and whereas itemizing the gamers who had helped win the sport, Ten Hag made particular point out of the Spaniard.
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“David performed a fantastic recreation, out and in of possession,” he stated. “He made some nice saves, he is completed that so usually this season, nice saves. We have now probably the most clear sheets within the Premier League and at this time was a clear sheet as properly.”
De Gea is an effective goalkeeper. You do not play greater than 500 occasions for a membership like United should you’re not, however the query since Ten Hag took cost final summer season has been; can he thrive in a system that calls for he is nearly as good together with his toes as he’s together with his arms?
On the proof of Seville, the reply is not any. His dangerous cross into Harry Maguire — who was additionally at fault — led to Youssef En-Nesyri’s early aim after which he fluffed his contact from a protracted clearance which gifted the Moroccan striker the prospect to attain his second of the evening into an empty internet.
Ten Hag modified the way in which United performed in opposition to Brighton, asking De Gea to kick longer as much as Anthony Martial. He regarded way more snug however it meant Brighton had extra possession and extra management, though ultimately it did not matter.
Talking in Perth throughout United’s preseason tour in Australia simply after Ten Hag’s appointment, De Gea bristled when it was put to him that he may not be the very best match for the brand new supervisor.
“I used to play like this within the nationwide workforce for a few years, so I am snug being trustworthy,” he stated. “I believe I confirmed it already. In case you watch my video games with the nationwide workforce or after we performed with Sir Alex [Ferguson] initially, you possibly can see it, I needn’t present it to anybody.”
Ten Hag has, often, averted speaking about that aspect of De Gea’s recreation, though following a Europa League tie in opposition to Actual Betis in March he hinted at his considerations.
“From at this time, I am unable to ignore it, however I believe we have now seen in lots of video games he did rather well,” Ten Hag stated when requested about De Gea’s kicking being a weak spot.
“I do not know why, or what the explanation at this time was. There was a number of wind, it is a totally different ball, he in all probability had some issues with that. I do know he can cope with it. We work on that, David is engaged on that. However I believe we have now seen, within the season, that he’s bettering, and he’ll maintain bettering, I am positive.”
De Gea, into his twelfth yr at Outdated Trafford, will stay Ten Hag’s undisputed No. 1 for the remainder of the season however there isn’t any assure that would be the case in August. His contract is up in the summertime and United desires him to signal an extension on considerably decreased wages however with performance-related bonuses.
If nothing is agreed, the membership can have till the top of Might to set off an extension which might retain his companies till 2024, however would additionally imply paying him £375,000 per week for one more 12 months.
As issues stand, United’s four-time participant of the yr might be a free agent in June. United are taking a look at different goalkeepers forward of the switch window, together with Brentford’s David Raya. The Spain worldwide is about to enter the ultimate yr of his contract and is the top-ranked goalkeeper within the Premier League for touches and passes this season.
De Gea, henceforth, is ranked ninth for touches and tenth for accomplished passes.
Ten Hag was properly conscious of the problems round De Gea’s kicking earlier than he took the United job however, when he was planning his first wave of recruitment, determined to deal with different areas of the squad. Bringing in one other goalkeeper to problem De Gea is an possibility once more this summer season however cash is tight — partly due to monetary honest play considerations — and United want a top-class striker, which won’t be low cost.
Ten Hag’s favourite phrase since arriving at Outdated Trafford is that, at one of many largest golf equipment on the planet, “good will not be ok”. De Gea has been nice for United and even making an allowance for the controversy round his kicking, he stays a great goalkeeper. The query for Ten Hag is whether or not that is sufficient.