Man Utd could replace De Gea with Pickford
FT Desk
- 24 Sept 2022 18:44 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United are on the lookout for a long-term successor to David de Gea and Everton and England No.1 Jordan Pickford has moved to the front of the queue for the Red Devils.
The winds of change are sweeping through Old Trafford of late. Erik ten Hag has arrived as manager, bringing Lisandro Martinez and Antony with him from Ajax for a combined €160 million outlay.
Christian Eriksen has impressed since his free transfer from Brentford, while long-time club talisman Cristiano Ronaldo has been gradually phased out on the second half of his second spell with the United.
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It has been working: United won each of their last four Premier League games before the international break, which included victories over bitter rivals Liverpool and Arsenal. And De Gea has kept two clean sheets in that time.
But the Spaniard was always more impressive with his hands than his feet, and having achieved significant success with Andre Onana at Ajax, Ten Hag is understood to want a goalkeeper who can be effectively involved in building up play. Pickford could be that man.
Long-term plan
"De Gea, who turns 32 in six weeks' time, has nine months left on his current deal but United can extend until 2024 by informing the Spain goalkeeper," report the Telegraph. "They are currently assessing their long-term plan and a change of No.1 could bring the likes of England and Everton's Jordan Pickford into the frame.
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"Pickford, 28, has clubs carefully monitoring his situation at Everton as he will have just one season left on his contract at the end of the campaign. He is also a homegrown player, which appeals to clubs, and returned to his best form earlier this season in the draw against Liverpool before being struck by a thigh injury."
Pickford only had one fewer clean sheet than De Gea last season (seven vs. eight) for a team which finished 10 places and 19 points lower than United in the league, but his average of one defensive action outside of the penalty area per game - one more than De Gea! - over the last year also appeals to the United hierarchy.
