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Manchester United remain hopeful of tying a key star down to a new deal amid a seemingly lengthy wait to secure the player’s future to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are enjoying an excellent first season under Erik ten Hag. They are currently third in the Premier League and look well on course to seal a top-four finish and with it a return to Champions League football. Currently on a 13-game winning streak at Old Trafford, they next host struggling Leeds on Wednesday night.
A win can push them level on points with Manchester City, albeit having played a game more and with a vastly-inferior goal difference. However, the mark-up under the Dutchman has been significant. And their progress since he took charge will likely see the club offer him an extensive summer budget to continue their upward momentum.
To that end, Ten Hag will reportedly look to make three new additions this summer, including a new, big-name striker. Victor Osimhen and Harry Kane are among those reportedly in their sights, though the Spurs man has been advised to sign for a serial trophy winner instead.
To help fund a potential £200m -plus summer windfall, a number of experienced stars could be shown the door at Old Trafford. As a result, a report over the weekend claimed a ruthless Ten Hag was ready to axe six big-name players this summer.
However, the retention of a number of key stars is also important to Ten Hag and United too.
And one man who appears very much back in favour is goalkeeper David De Gea.
De Gea drops hint over Man Utd future
Now into his 12th season at Old Trafford, the Spaniard is United’s longest-serving player with over 512 appearances to his name. That puts him 10th on the club’s all-time record appearance-maker list. However, another 48 appearances will see him overtake the likes of Wayne Rooney and Denis Irwin and climb to sixth.
Doubts over his future at the club first emerged upon Ten Hag’s appointment. The United boss likes keepers who are comfortable with the ball at their feet and there are suggestions that De Gea is not up to requirements.
As such, the club are being strongly linked with a Portugal goalkeeper earning major plaudits in his homeland.
Ten Hag, though, has always maintained his desire to keep De Gea.
Strongly linked with the likes of Juventus, as well as a return to Spain, it seems the Spanaird is confident an agreement can be reached.
While he will have to take a serious drop on his current £375,000 a week package to stay, De Gea indicates all is on track and amid claims Ten Hag’s focus is on extending his stay.
“We’re still talking. I’m just focused on the game, that’s the most important thing, but for sure it’s going to end in a good way. I’ve been in very tough moments for this club. Now I’m enjoying it more,” De Gea said.
“Winning games, especially here at home, it’s great to watch. I think it’s everything, a good manager, good players who bring experience to the team, people who want the ball, who play well with the ball. It’s a mix of everything.”
Per reports, De Gea will sign a three-year extension at United but on reduced £200,000 a week wages.
De Gea enjoying his football at Man Utd again
With last season’s struggles now seemingly behind them, De Gea seems to be enjoying life at Manchester United once again.
“Everyone is ready, the people who aren’t playing much are training well, they’re ready to play and it’s great, we’re on a great run. It’s great, the spirit is great, the atmosphere is great.
“Everyone is thinking in the same way, playing in the same way. The team spirit is great from everyone, everyone fights until the end, and everyone is ready from the bench to perform well. It’s great to watch the team playing and performing well.”
De Gea has kept eight clean sheets in the Premier League so far this season. That means he is now just one behind last season’s tally – and he will be looking to match that mark in Wednesday’s clash against Leeds.
Since the 2017/18 season, De Gea has only recorded 10 clean sheets or more in a single campaign just once. However, such has been his, and United’s improvement, that it would come as no surprise were he to top the 13 shut-outs he achieved in the 2019/20 season.
And should he extend his stay at Old Trafford, there are few associated with the club who would argue against it.
Source:Teamtalk