Sommer Slam - Keeper bid could end De Gea's United career

Daniel Edwards

21 Aug 2022 15:20 BST
3 min read

Yann Sommer in action for Borussia Monchengladbach — © ProShots

Manchester United have turned their attentions towards Yann Sommer as a possible alternative for stuttering goalkeeper David de Gea.

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De Gea has come under fire for two disappointing performances to kick off the new Premier League season.

After conceding twice during United's defeat at home to Brighton the Spain international made a huge blunder to allow Brentford's Josh Da Silva to take the lead with a tame shot from range.

He then combined with Christian Eriksen to gift the Bees possession in front of the net, leaving Mathias Jensen with the easiest of finishes to add another and set United on the way to a humiliating 4-0 reverse.

The pressure on De Gea has never been higher, despite his previous heroics with the club.

And the arrival of a top goalkeeper like Sommer could spell the end for him at Old Trafford.

Deputy or replacement?

David de Gea in action for Manchester United — © ProShots

According to the Sun, Sommer is now the top candidate to ostensibly replace Dean Henderson as United's back-up keeper.

But the 33-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach star would also provide heavy competition for De Gea, and given each player's recent form would have strong hopes of wresting a first-team spot from him outright.

The Switzerland international would certainly require guarantees that he was not moving to Old Trafford solely to warm the bench, after eight seasons starring in the Bundesliga as Gladbach's number one.

Sommer and his club have started 2022-23 in fine form, with the player keeping a clean sheet on Friday as Hertha Berlin were defeated 1-0 - a game at which United scouts were present.

That result leaves Gladbach with seven points from their opening three games, with only a last-gasp penalty equaliser from Schalke last weekend robbing them of a perfect start to the new campaign.