David de Gea has agreed a new contract with Manchester United - but isn't guaranteed to remain their No.1 goalkeeper.
The Spaniard, 32, has been faced with unrelenting scrutiny this week after another high-profile blunder during United's woeful 1-0 defeat away to West Ham on Sunday. De Gea allowed a tame effort from Said Benrahma to trickle in through his wrist, ultimately costing Erik ten Hag's side in their pursuit of a top-four finish, which is now looking less likely.
But Ten Hag has publicly backed United's four-time Player of the Year and wants him to pen the new deal, which the Telegraph report is waiting to be signed off on before an official announcement. However, De Gea isn't guaranteed to be first-choice next season, with the Red Devils being linked to a host of shot-stoppers who could replace him.
Brentford goalkeeper David Raya is under consideration, while highly-rated Portugal international Diogo Costa has also been tipped to sign because of his impressive distribution; a core principle of Ten Hag's success at Ajax playing an attractive brand of football which begins at the back. United also still have Dean Henderson on their books, having spent this season on loan at relegation-battling Nottingham Forest.
Ten Hag's lingering frustrations with De Gea have never been more prevalent than in recent weeks, with the ex-Atletico Madrid prodigy at fault for two goals in the Red Devils' Europa League 3-0 semi-final loss to Sevilla which ended their promising European campaign. Then, with United hoping to avoid back-to-back defeats in the Premier League, De Gea made a clanger in the first half against West Ham.
Although his team-mates did little to help by producing a lifeless performance which included missing a series of guilt-edge chances, the under-fire goalkeeper shouldered the blame. Ten Hag defended him post-match, saying: "He has the most clean sheets in the league so we would not be here in this position without him.
"He fully has my belief. No concerns with him. It happens but as a team you have to deal with it, show character, be resilient and bounce back. We want him to stay and extend his contract."
De Gea's existing deal is due to expire next summer, but United are committed to further extending his 12-year stay at Old Trafford. Given his standing as the highest-paid goalkeeper in world football, De Gea has had no desire to leave his post, although the new contract is expected to see his £375,000-a-week salary decrease significantly.
"We're still talking," he admitted back in February. "I'm just focused on the games, that's the most important thing, but for sure it's going to end in a good way."
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Due to his poor distribution, fans have questioned De Gea's capacity to play in Ten Hag's style, but the Dutch manager appears to disagree with the doubters - at least in public. "Stopping goals - that is the main job for a goalkeeper," Ten Hag recently affirmed.
"Everyone has their own particular style. "Nowadays, in possession, it has become more and more important at top levels. But at the end of the day it is about stopping goals; shots; crosses; one-on-ones. I think David is a complete goalkeeper."
