Man Utd finally showing sense in the transfer market with De Gea u-turn

Suraj Radia

• 28 Jun 2023 18:39 BST
• 2 min read

Manchester United caused a stir after reportedly reneging on an agreed contract offered to David de Gea in the hopes of tying their goalkeeper to a reduced deal – however the decision could be the most beneficial move Erik ten Hag could make this summer.

De Gea is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of the month and the 32-year-old was thought to have agreed terms on a new deal on a significantly lower wage, reported to be a cut from £375,000-a-week to £200,000.

The deal was thought to have been signed on the player’s side but United have instead submitted a new proposal with even lower wages, casting doubts over De Gea’s future.

BACK OUT: Man Utd U-Turn on De Gea deal

De Gea has endured an error-filled season including errors in the FA Cup final loss to Manchester City, prompting Ten Hag to step up the club’s chase for a new first choice goalkeeper this summer.

United were always in the market for a new keeper but Ten Hag had been vocal over his desire to keep De Gea around, although he had not made any formal decision on whether the long-serving shot stopper would be his first choice going forward.

However, United have since engaged in talks with Inter Milan over the signing of Andre Onana and the potential arrival would all but end De Gea’s stay at the club – a decision that is perhaps long overdue.

De Gea humiliated for the greater good

While the move to back out of an agreement is considered unprofessional and could reflect badly on United, the decision is ultimately in the best interests for Ten Hag’s side.

Even if De Gea had taken the significant wage cut he agreed to, he would still be one of the highest paid goalkeepers in the world despite likely being a backup to Onana should the Cameroonian make the switch to Old Trafford.

ALERT: Inter line up Onana replacement as United circle goalkeeper

Ten Hag has been determined in his desire to ‘build from the back’ with his United side but De Gea’s limited ability on the ball has piled pressure on the defence and led to numerous chances to the opposition – chances which the keeper has often struggled to deal with.

United’s decision to effectively leave De Gea in limbo is certainly disrespectful to a Red Devils icon but it is credit to the club that they have operated with a rare bit of foresight, having often been made to deal with their poor choices in retrospect.

Parting ways with one of United’s longest serving players would be difficult and De Gea will certainly have wanted a true farewell if he was to depart this summer, however the decision to ignore sentiment and pursue a superior goalkeeper could prove to be the difference maker in the club’s campaign next year and beyond.