In recent developments, there are growing speculations surrounding the future of Manchester United’s goalkeeper, David De Gea.
According to a report by David McDonnell of The Mirror, De Gea has not been included in the club’s retained list of players, indicating a potentially bleak situation for the Spanish shot-stopper.
The Contract Conundrum
David De Gea’s current contract at Manchester United is set to expire at the end of this month.
For quite some time, it was believed that a new deal, albeit with a significantly reduced salary, was on the table.
However, as the negotiations continued, De Gea opted not to put pen to paper, prolonging the uncertainty surrounding his future at the club.
Reports suggested that the proposed contract was met with hesitation from United’s management, possibly due to concerns over the player’s recent dip in performance.
Dip in Form
De Gea’s recent performances have been marred by notable errors, contributing to Manchester United’s missed opportunities for silverware.
Notably, the goalkeeper made costly mistakes against Sevilla in the Europa League, Southampton in the Premier League, and Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
These high-profile blunders put the spotlight on De Gea’s form and raised doubts about his ability to perform at the highest level consistently. Such concerns may have played a role in United’s hesitation to finalize a new contract.
Managerial Influence
Reports circulated that Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was not fully supportive of the proposed contract extension for De Gea.
It is speculated that ten Hag may have had second thoughts about the goalkeeper’s long-term viability for the team, given his recent struggles.
The manager’s reluctance to endorse the new deal may have further complicated the negotiations, adding to the uncertainty surrounding De Gea’s future.
The Bleak Outlook
According to sources cited by McDonnell, De Gea’s contractual situation at Manchester United is currently looking bleak.
It is reported that the 31-year-old goalkeeper has been unwilling to accept a reduction in his current salary of £375,000 per week.
This unwillingness to compromise on salary demands raises doubts about the likelihood of a contract extension being reached.
The exclusion of De Gea from United’s retained list, despite being in a similar contractual position as other players, reinforces the notion that the former Spain international is likely to depart from the club during the summer transfer window.
Optimism Amidst Uncertainty
While The Mirror’s report paints a rather pessimistic picture for De Gea, Jamie Jackson of The Guardian provides a slightly more positive perspective.
Jackson suggests that Manchester United is currently less uncertain about the possibility of a new deal for De Gea than they were two weeks ago.
The club remains optimistic that the goalkeeper will eventually agree to fresh terms. However, until an official announcement is made, the uncertainty surrounding De Gea’s future will persist.
