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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Josh O'Brien

Man Utd sanction another scouting trip in bid to find David de Gea replacement

Manchester United are keeping tabs on Dundee United goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist as they prowl the transfer market for another shot-stopper in the wake of question marks over David de Gea's form.

The Red Devils sent their goalkeeping scout Tony Coton to Scotland to watch Siegrist in action against Scottish Premier League leaders Celtic. The club are thought to be looking for cover for their current number one, though there could be room for eventually ousting De Gea from his first-choice status given the Spaniard has been under scrutiny in recent weeks.

30-year-old Siegrist is a free come the end of the season and is rumoured to be viewed as ideal cover for De Gea should the club fail to secure the signature of West Bromwich Albion number one Sam Johnstone who is currently higher on United's transfer wish-list. United scout Coton is already familiar with Siegrist from their shared time at Aston Villa.

Much like Siegrist, Johnstone is out of contract with his club at the end of the season and already has previous with United after spending seven years at Old Trafford without making a first-team appearance. United's current fourth-choice 'keeper Lee Grant is expected to leave in the summer following the expiration of his deal.

Ralf Rangnick's United side have been on the look-out for another goalkeeper for months, having been rejected by Newcastle's first-choice Martin Dubravka during the January transfer window due to his disinterest in being De Gea's deputy. The deal would have seen United's very own Dean Henderson head in the other direction on loan in return.

Henderson enjoyed a brief spell as United's number one at the end of the 2020/21 season but a knee injury and Covid-19 scuppered his chance of maintaining that form for the following campaign. The England international has not played a single minute of Premier League football so far this term.

Benjamin Siegrist of Dundee United is reportedly wanted by Manchester United ((Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images))

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The 25-year-old is attracting interest from fellow Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur as well as Dutch giants Ajax. The England star is rumoured to be frustrated at his inability to surpass De Gea in the 'keeper rankings at Old Trafford.

De Gea has looked closer to being back to his best this season but question marks over his ability with the ball at his feet continue to hang over the 31-year-old's head. His omission from the latest Spain squad is a damning indictment of how he is viewed by national team boss Luis Enrique.

As a result, United are rumoured to be hesitant over whether to trigger an extension in De Gea's contract that would see him stay for another 12 months on top of his current deal.

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