Manchester United cemented their place in the Premier League’s top four after holding on to claim all three points against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Red Devils had their defense and goalkeeper to thank after securing a 2-1 win against Patrick Vieira’s men despite falling to 10 men after Brazilian midfielder Casemiro was sent off shortly after the hour mark. .
David de Gea had come into the match attempting to break Peter Schmeichel’s clean sheet record for United, but would be denied the honor after Jeffrey Schlupp’s goal in the second half.
The Spaniard’s contract expires this summer, and United have yet to opt to activate a one-year extension that exists in his current contract, knowing full well that would keep De Gea on a ridiculous £375,000-a-week pay package. .
The 20-time English champions have already activated similar clauses in the contracts of Fred, Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot, while missing out on the likes of Axel Tuanzebe, Phil Jones and Tom Heaton.
Now, De Gea has finally ruled on the unresolved contract situation in quotes published by the Daily Mirror.
He said: “We are still talking. I’m just concentrating on the game, that’s the most important thing, but I’m sure it’s going to end well. I have been through very hard times for this club. Now I’m enjoying it more.
“Winning games, especially here at home, is great to see. I think it’s everything, a good coach, 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.
“Everyone is ready, the people who are not playing a lot are training well, they are ready to play and it is great, we are on a great run. It’s great, the spirit is great, the atmosphere is great.
“They all think the same way, play the same way. The team spirit is great from everyone, everyone is fighting to the end and everyone is ready off the bench to do well. It’s great to see the team play and do well.”
De Gea was once on the verge of leaving United in 2015, when Real Madrid made their interest known, but a delay in all paperwork arriving from the Spanish capital, coupled with a dubious fax machine, would deny him the game of your dreams.
It’s no secret that the Spanish international is not suited to the modern game and by extension Erik ten Hag’s style of play.
De Gea isn’t a competent enough passer, he doesn’t sweep well enough and has trouble claiming crosses, the three qualities that form the foundation of the modern goalkeeper.
As Peoples Person previously reported, Brentford’s David Raya is attracting interest from a number of top sides with his contract expiring in the next 18 months.
Raya has found a place in the Spanish national setup of late, while De Gea has been displaced, mainly due to the aforementioned shortcomings in his overall game.
United have been linked with Raya and a number of other goalkeepers of late, with the situation of De Gea’s contract up in the air.
The Red Devils will also have Dean Henderson back at the club in the summer, after his loan spell at Nottingham Forest comes to an end.
Ultimately, the future of United’s goal will be intriguing, regardless of De Gea’s contract situation.
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