Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has, seemingly, shut down lingering concerns over David de Gea and his capacity to play out from the back after Spain manager Luis Enrique previously sounded the alarm.
De Gea is into the final months of his contract at Old Trafford and amid speculation about his future produced a superb performance to help United overcome West Ham on Sunday afternoon. He made several fantastic saves as Marcus Rashford settled the scores at the other end.
Reports emerging from Spain suggest De Gea will be omitted from the provisional World Cup squad while Enrique has opted to call upon five other goalkeepers in his 55-man selection. It has been two years since De Gea started for his country and the manager flagged up a reason for that shortly after De Gea made a costly mistake for Spain during a Nations League defeat by Ukraine in October 2020.
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Spanish reports say David Raya, Unai Simon and Robert Sanchez are expected to be seated on the plane to Qatar, with Kepa Arrizabalaga and David Soria serving as back-up options instead of De Gea.
Speaking indirectly about De Gea previously, Spain coach Enrique said: "I look to have three starting goalkeepers, and I think right now I have them. I wouldn't have an issue with any of the three of them starting.
"Unai [Simon] has accumulated some interesting experience. A goalkeeper should start the play and generate the first superiority, they must dominate the aerial play.
"I need a goalkeeper that transmits peace and calmness to me - and that doesn't mean they won't make mistakes because errors are part of football. But what they generate I like a lot."
Ten Hag was pressed on De Gea during his press conference following the West Ham game. Responding to questions about him, he seemingly disagreed over concerns the ex-Atletico Madrid stopper might not be strong enough with the ball at his feet to play a long-term role under his management.
Ten Hag said: "Everyone has his own opinion but, for me, the first thing for a goalkeeper is to protect the goal and make sure you don't concede goals. In that fact he is magnificent.
"With the feet he has capabilities as well. That is not only with the goalkeeper, but also the ones in front and what options you give to bring passes in. I'm convinced he can do it and the games, so far, prove it."
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