Manchester United need to sign a world-class goalkeeper in the summer transfer window because David de Gea lacks concentration in key moments, according to Ian Wright.
De Gea is in the spotlight at United after making a dreadful blunder to hand West Ham victory at the weekend. The goalkeeper somehow conspired to allow Said Benrahma’s weak effort from distance through his grasp in a damaging 1-0 defeat which has opened the door for Liverpool in the race for the top four.
The 32-year-old is out of contract with United in the summer, but is in talks over an extension, albeit with a reduction to his current £375,000-a-week deal. De Gea has made 540 appearances for United since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2011, but former Arsenal striker Wright thinks now might be the time for the club to move on.
“At some stage, Manchester United are going to have to look at that position,” Wright said on Premier League Productions. “The concentration just isn’t there at times. Is it a priority position for them? Maybe it’s not. But that goal could cost them the Champions League.
“Whenever you get bodies around him, he gets very, very shaky. I still can’t understand why teams don’t put in-swinging corners in to him at every single opportunity. He’s never comfortable in that situation.”
Alan Shearer agrees with Wright and believes that De Gea’s long-serving status at United may shield him from justified criticism. “It was an absolute howler and his error has cost his team a point today,” Shearer said. ‘It’s not the first error he’s made this season either. It’s happened too many times this season. It’s a problem for Manchester United because he’s making too many of them.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Manchester United replace David de Gea this summer? Comment below.
“What they’ll have to look at in the summer is do they deem it a priority position or are there more important positions to look at? We don’t know how much they’ll have to spend but I’m sure there’s concerns in the management at the mistakes he keeps on making.”
Despite wanting him to sign a new deal, Erik ten Hag is reportedly not guaranteeing De Gea’s position as No1 goalkeeper next season. United have been keeping tabs on Brentford’s David Raya and Porto’s Diego Costa – but Ten Hag defended De Gea after the Benrahma error.
He told BT Sport after the match: "Yes [it was a bad error], but mistakes are part of football. As a team, you have to deal with it and bounce back. It's a team sport. Like you said, over the season, he's the person with the most clean sheets. Everyone has to take responsibility."
De Gea is currently backed up by Jack Butland, who is on loan from Crystal Palace, and Tom Heaton, who has struggled with injuries. Dean Henderson has spent the season on loan at Nottingham Forest, but has also been plagued with injuries.
