Former Manchester United midfielder Luke Chadwick is backing David de Gea to continue as the club's first choice goalkeeper under soon-to-be manager Erik ten Hag.
Despite experiencing a season to forget collectively, De Gea has been a ray of light through the darkness for United this term, producing a string of fine performances. He is almost guaranteed to scoop his fifth Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award and quite rightly so.
He has been United's best player for much of the campaign and had it not been for his brilliance the club could find itself in an even worse position than it is currently in. The Spaniard has produced a wealth of excellent saves and has proven that his shot-stopping ability is right up there with the very best that the Premier League has to offer.
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However, the impending arrival of Ten Hag at Old Trafford means that De Gea's place could be under threat next season, potentially from Dean Henderson. Ajax wanted to sign the England international on loan ahead of the January transfer window, meaning that he could replace De Gea as the Dutchman's first choice goalkeeper, with style of play set to be a telling factor in Ten Hag's decision making.
But former United youngster Chadwick believes De Gea could adapt to a new style of play, insisting he should remain United's first choice between the sticks. However, he has accepted that Ten Hag might have different ideas.
"Obviously different managers have different ways of playing," Chadwick told CaughtOffside. "I would say David de Gea is competent with the ball at his feet, he's got a nice ball-striking technique.
"United don't really play out from the back at the moment, unlike Liverpool and City. I think De Gea could adapt to that style if he had to.
"Overall, I'd say De Gea's been United's Player of the Season again this year. He's won that award so many times and I think he's in line to win it again, so I can't see the new manager making a new goalkeeper a priority, but it depends on how he wants to play.
"If he wants a goalkeeper who takes the occasional chance and plays out from the back, then maybe he'll have someone in mind who he wants to bring in. But in my opinion, De Gea's been exceptional and I think there'll be a change in a number of other areas of this squad.
"It could mean some tough decisions with players who've been at this club for a long time, but I don't see De Gea being a part of that."
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