David de Gea didn't know what to expect when Erik ten Hag was appointed as Manchester United's manager in April. The Dutchman wants his goalkeepers to be comfortable with the ball and that meant De Gea's future at Old Trafford was not guaranteed.
Although there were doubts about whether De Gea would align with Ten Hag's long-term vision, the Spaniard was in a strong position after an excellent season, in which he was named Players' Player of the Year. De Gea's importance to the squad was strengthened throughout that nightmare campaign and it would have been foolish for the newly appointed manager to sell him so quickly.
De Gea had earned the opportunity to start the season as Ten Hag's first-choice goalkeeper, but he was aware of the point he needed to prove during the campaign, as he needed to improve with the ball and was entering the final year of his contract.
ALSO READ: Erik ten Hag's plan for problem fixture after World Cup just got easier
The 31-year-old made an awful start to the campaign, conceding what should have been a routine save for Brentford's first goal in the 4-0 shellacking, while he was also at fault for the second goal when playing a hospital pass to Christian Eriksen.
It also seemed like supporters' patience was wearing thin with the goalkeeper during United's 1-0 win against Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium, where frustration at De Gea was audible from the terraces. De Gea has been guilty of dithering on the ball and halting momentum at the back and that's why he was fighting the tide of uncertainty at the beginning of Ten Hag's tenure.
But if De Gea's future seemed uncertain, it already seems secure at the halfway point of the season. Ten Hag has started De Gea in every Premier League fixture and his loyalty to the shot-stopper has extended to Europa League fixtures, which wasn't expected after the signing of Martin Dunbravka, who has made just one appearance, from Newcastle on a season-long loan.
There is still time for Ten Hag to change his mind, but he appears to be happy with De Gea, who has made noticeable improvement with the ball at his feet. De Gea has bettered his distribution and it's obvious that area has been worked on in training.
The club have the option of a one-year extension on his current contract, but he's currently the highest earner in the squad after Cristiano Ronaldo's departure and offering him a new contract, with rearranged terms, is the more likely option.
"So, everyone has their own opinion and their own philosophy," Ten Hag said when asked about De Gea's performances last month. "For me, for a goalkeeper, you have to protect the goal and make sure you don't concede goals. In that fact, he is magnificent.
"On the feet, for me, he has the capabilities as well. I think when you see this season, he is progressing from game to game on that part. And that has to do not only with the keeper. It has also to do with the ones in front, how you give the keeper the options to bring passes in, because when they don't run free, or in the wrong moments, or in the wrong positions.
"Then he doesn't have the options to pass around, but I am convinced he can do it and I think the games so far prove that. I think he will improve from game to game on that part. I am really happy with David, he is a great goalkeeper. He is only 31, he is fit, he can progress even more, he was already impressive for Man United and will be in the future as well."
Ten Hag gave De Gea his seal of approval and support in that press conference and he will be pleased with the goalkeeper's statistics this season, which prove he's improved the ball at his feet in just a relatively short period of time.
De Gea has averaged more passes, more successful passes and successful long passes per 90 in the Premier League in this campaign compared to 2021/22 and that confirms the visual impression that his performances have given.
The Spaniard might not be the long-term answer, but he's building a case to Ten Hag for a new contract.
-
Comparisonator is a football data comparison tool from 271 professional leagues around the world which compares players and clubs by utilising over 100 different parameters. Click here for more details.
You can vote for David De Gea to win the United Fans' Footballer of the Year 2022 Award - cast your vote below or click here.
READ MORE:
