David de Gea and Diogo Dalot have both grabbed a Manchester United lifeline with their impressive performances under Erik ten Hag.
De Gea has hinted that talks about a new contract could have a positive conclusion soon, despite United's decision to trigger a one-year extension to a £350,000-a-week deal that was scheduled to expire at the end of the season. And Dalot has made Ten Hag think again about his plan to bring in a new right-back after a series of performances that have impressed the United manager.
The Portuguese defender has also had his terms extended by a further 12 months to 2024 - but his manager's words will give him encouragement that he has a long-term future at Old Trafford. United have been linked with a string of new keepers since Ten Hag arrived in the summer.
But the United boss said: "David de Gea has made a lot of progression. I saw right away that he has ability on the ball. But you also see him getting better now, because the team is giving him options to play out. He is now very consciously looking for the right man."
Ten Hag pinpointed a new right-back as a priority when he arrived in the summer - despite the presence of Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. But, in an interview with VI Magazine, he said: "Initially, I had in mind a midfielder, a striker, a right winger and a left-footed central defender.
"But I also think that as a coach you should always work first with the players you already have available. The position of right-back in our selection is a good example of that. In the beginning, I also had my doubts and wondered if we should look for reinforcements there.
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"But then you start working with your squad and come to new insights. A player like Diogo Dalot did very well in pre-season and I saw the boy's potential. So that position is no longer a priority to get reinforcements."
While not many could argue about replacing 23-year-old Dalot given his form this season, De Gea's future still splits opinion amongst fans. The Spaniard, now 32, made a glaring error during United's hard-fought 3-1 win against Everton in the FA Cup on Friday which left supporters pondering his long-term position between the Old Trafford posts.
Roy Keane is among those who believe that the Red Devils could find an upgrade on De Gea, declaring on ITV : "It's a shocking mistake from an international goalkeeper. "It's like 'Carry On' football. It looks as if he's had a few drinks. It's a shocking mistake.
"It's almost as if a 'keeper has been sent off and an outfield player has gone in goal and does not know what to do. It is a horrendous mistake."
