Why forgotten Man Utd signing isn't playing

FT Desk

• 4 Nov 2022 03:05 CDT
• 3 min read

Most of Manchester United's summer signings - Antony, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen - have quickly become important members of Erik ten Hag's team…

Tyrell Malacia has also been getting his game at left-back, but there was a sixth player signed this summer in Martin Bubravka, the goalkeeper acquired on loan from Newcastle.

When Ten Hag succeeded Ralf Rangnick as manager at Old Trafford there were some obvious question marks giving what his playing style and philosophy had been at Ajax: would Cristiano Ronaldo press enough from the front? And could David de Gea be a ball-playing goalkeeper.

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo at Man Utd: Goals, assists, results & fixtures in 2022-23

The answer to the first question appears to be a resounding 'no', and Ronaldo's days at Man Utd are drawing to a close, with Atletico Madrid, Inter Miami or a big-money move to Saudi Arabia appearing to be the options open to him.

But De Gea has surprised the coach, and indeed many onlookers, by adapting his game to Ten Hag's needs. Always a fine shot-stopper, his ability to play out from the back was in doubt, but he is improving in this area.

Ten Hag: 'philosophy'

"Everyone has their own opinion and their own philosophy," Ten Hag explained after De Gea had made a pair of stunning saves in United's 1-0 win over West Ham last Sunday. "For me, for a goalkeeper, you have to protect the goal and make sure you don't concede goals. In that fact, he is magnificent.

READ: How De Gea could play his way into new Man Utd contract

"On the feet, for me, he has the capabilities as well. I think when you see this season, he is progressing from game to game on that part."

And it is for this reason that Dubravka hasn't had a sniff. De Gea has started all 12 of United's games in the Premier League and six in the Europa League, while Dubravka is yet to feature.