Erik ten Hag’s concerns regarding David de Gea’s ability to remain Manchester United’s first-choice goalkeeper have eased somewhat.
When Ten Hag took over as manager for the summer, he decided to keep De Gea as the Red Devils’ starting goalkeeper. Consequently, Dean Henderson, the favored opponent, was loaned out to recently promoted Nottingham Forest for the season.
However, the Spaniard’s suitability for the job has been questioned, as he has allowed 15 goals in just eight Premier League appearances. So far, Ten Hag has continued to have faith in the 31-year-old, who now appears to be embracing the Dutchman’s tactical philosophy.
Ten Hag enjoyed using a goalkeeper-sweeper to help his defense maintain a higher defensive line than his previous team, Ajax. Although De Gea has previously been hesitant to take on that sweeping role, he has tried to duplicate that top line at United.
De Gea changing his style of play
However, he now appears to be making a change to persuade Ten Hag to keep him at Old Trafford. For Thursday night’s Europa League match against Omonia Nicosia, De Gea started in goal once again.
Although Omonia had a few chances of their own, United dominated the game at Old Trafford. Two minutes before half-time, one of them occurred when United right-back Diogo Dalot deflected a loose ball into his own goal.
Omonia attacker Andronikos Kakoullis tried to force his way through the middle and into goal after United’s centre-backs were caught off guard. However, De Gea recognized the threat and ran 35 yards out of his goal to stop Kakoullis before touching and assisting Bruno Fernandes with a deflected pass.
De Gea’s efforts to highlight his skills as a sweeper goalkeeper may be a reaction to reports in The Telegraph that United are assessing his future. The Spaniard’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign and the Red Devils are reportedly hesitant to grant him an extension.
What did Rio say?
Rio Ferdinand, a United icon, feels that De Gea deserves a new contract and that his talent is evident. However, he acknowledged that Ten Hag would prefer a goalkeeper who is more comfortable handling the ball.
“He would have a contract from me. Because he has been substituted out of the game for Dean Henderson on occasion and people have questioned his abilities, I think the character of him speaks volumes,” Ferdinand told BT Sport on Sunday.
It all depends on how Erik ten Hag wants to play football. It all comes down to someone who is really better on his feet and that’s possibly his best strength in his game if he wants to play from behind like he did with Ajax. However, that is not David De Gea’s greatest asset.
He’s proficient with his feet, in my opinion, but stopping shots is his biggest strength. He is there to fulfill that purpose. Some managers no longer prioritize making that element of themselves the strongest; instead, they put their feet forward.
