New target emerges in Man Utd’s search for De Gea replacement

Tom Hancock

Updated: 11 May 2023 21:20 BST
3 min read

David de Gea, Man Utd, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Manchester United could make a move for Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, as they potentially look to replace David de Gea as number one.

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De Gea has come under renewed scrutiny of late, having made some costly errors which threaten Man Utd’s chances of a top-four Premier League finish – and qualification for next season’s Champions League.

This week has seen Porto ‘keeper Diogo Costa strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford – but Erik ten Hag and co. may well be exploring numerous options between the sticks ahead of the transfer window.

According to Manchester Evening News, Man Utd are showing an interest in Verbruggen, 20 – who was handed his Anderlecht debut aged 18 by Vincent Kompany.

A youth product of Dutch club NAC Breda, Verbruggen received his first senior Netherlands call-up last month for Euro 2024 qualifiers against France and Gibraltar – although he didn’t feature for the Oranje in either game.

Currently valued at €3.4m by our in-house Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) model, Verbruggen has made the Anderlecht number one spot his own this term, helping the 34-time Belgian champions reach the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League.

© ProShots - Verbruggen has made 31 appearances for Anderlecht

A suitable successor to De Gea?

Billed as a sweeper-keeper who is strong in possession, Verbruggen ostensibly ought to suit Ten Hag’s style better than De Gea – whose deficiencies with the ball at his feet have laid bare multiple times in 2022/23.

The veteran Spaniard – who joined Man Utd back in 2011 – was most recently at fault last time out, letting Said Benrahma’s seemingly harmless shot squirm in to give West Ham a 1-0 win on Sunday evening.

Despite De Gea’s poor campaign, though, Man Utd are said to still want to extend his contract – which runs until the summer of 2025.