De Gea agrees new deal - and CRUSHES Man Utd's Premier League hopes

Tom Weber

• 9 May 2023 19:53 BST
• 3 min read

David de Gea has reportedly agreed to sign a contract extension with Manchester United - but this may not be cause for celebration.

Many fans will feel that the experienced shot-stopper is being rewarded for failure following his howlers against Sevilla and more recently West Ham. The latter could yet cost the Red Devils a spot in next season's Champions League, though they still have a game in hand on chasing Liverpool.

While saying that this is rewarding failure would be an overstatement in relation to a modern-day United legend like the 32-year-old, there is a kernel of truth in that. Despite coach Erik ten Hag's assertions to the contrary, De Gea has repeatedly shown that he struggles to cope with the demands of the Dutchman's football, especially when it comes to participating in United's build-up phase.

To be sure, De Gea is still a more than capable shot-stopper, but his obvious flaws can only be masked for so long, and if he then makes the kind of howlers with his hands that we saw against the Hammers, it is unsurprising that his new deal comes with the expectation that he won't remain United's No.1 for the entire duration of his remaining stay.

READ: 'Sir Alex Ferguson would NEVER have signed Antony'

Given the uncertainty around the Red Devils' budget next season, however, United will be forced to focus on bigger priorities like a new striker and central midfielder, leaving little money to spend on a new keeper - and this could cost them dearly.

No Premier League challenge

A similar sentiment was recently espoused by tactics expert Jon Mackenzie on the Tifo Football Podcast: "Manchester United have David de Gea and are not able to build up from the back and so it results in...a lack of ability to control the game in every phase of play, which has knock-on effects all the way down."

"Manchester United with Erik ten Hag are wanting to adopt that more controlled play style, they just simply don't have the players to do it right now, which raises the question: do you want a goalkeeper who is good at shot-stopping or do you want a goalkeeper who's going to be better in the build-up?"

READ: Man Utd could land major target for bargain €50m – Fabrizio Romano

"I think," Mackenzie concluded, "if Manchester United are still playing David de Gea next season as a starting goalkeeper, they will not be challenging at the highest level."