Despite plenty of Roy Keane rants advising him not to, Erik ten Hag will continue to persist with David de Gea as Manchester United's number-one goalkeeper.
The Spaniard has often been the subject of intense criticism from Keane, who once admitted he'd have punched De Gea had he been in the dressing room with him after a mistake against Tottenham back in 2020. However, manager Ten Hag is clearly confident in his abilities and has shown unwavering faith in De Gea so far.
In truth, De Gea hasn't exactly been in disastrous form during Ten Hag's debut season at the helm, but as Friday night's win over Everton proved - the United veteran does always seem to have a huge error in him.
His latest blunder was particularly bad, with the Spain international somehow letting Neal Maupay's low-driven cross squeeze through his legs all while holding on to the goal-post instead of claiming the cross. By the time Conor Coady had capitalised and bundled the ball home, De Gea was still clutching the frame of his goal.
As expected, it prompted quite the response from Keane who was scathing in his assessment of the shot-stopper.
"It's a shocking mistake from an international goalkeeper," the Irishman told ITV. "De Gea there is like Carry On football. He looks like he's had a few drinks. It's a shocking mistake.
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"It's almost like a 'keeper has been sent off and an outfield player has gone in goal and he doesn't know what to do. It's a horrendous mistake."
Keane has had plenty to say about De Gea in the past, with another mistake against the same opposition in February of 2021 prompting the United legend to add: "Particularly the goalkeeper, I’m certainly not his biggest fan.
"Two goals last night, the one thing you want from your goalkeeper is courage and he didn’t show that for the equalising goal. Not a good sign."
With Ten Hag's side vying for a finish inside the top four and secure Champions League qualification, United simply cannot afford more De Gea errors to come when the stakes are high in the league.
The club did recently make an addition in the goalkeeping department, but it was to bring Jack Butland in as De Gea's deputy - it is clear the Red Devils' number one role is the Spaniard's to lose for the foreseeable.
For all of Ten Hag's loyalty in De Gea, the 'keeper has shown some loyalty of his own if recent reports surrounding his contract are to be believed.
United are set to introduce a salary cap, which in turn would mean De Gea would see his weekly wages reduced by as much as £150,000 - yet he is not expected to be on the move and hasn't voiced his frustration over the situation at all.
More cynical United fans may ask where De Gea would even go if he were to angle for the Old Trafford exit, but after more than a decade between the sticks for a club of United's stature, there are certainly a whole host of clubs that would jump at the chance to secure the Spaniard's signature.
