David de Gea recently became the Manchester United keeper with the most clean-sheets but his time at the club could be coming to an end really soon.
The keeper is one of the best shot-stoppers in Europe but he’s equally poor with his distribution and his weakness once again came to the forefront in the Real Betis game.
He made only 68% successful accurate passes in that match and his ball distribution was really poor. Many times his out ball put Man United’s defence in trouble and after the match, murmurs started regarding De Gea’s future at the club.
Erik ten Hag was questioned regarding David De Gea and his poor distribution skills and the manager admitted that this shortcoming cannot be ignored at all.
The manager said after Thursday’s win(h/t Fotmob): “From [the game], I can’t ignore it, but I think we have seen many games he did really well.
“I don’t know why, or [what] the reason was. There was a lot of wind, it’s a different ball, he probably had some problems with that. But I know he can deal with it and he will do Sunday better.
“We work on that[his distribution]; David is working on that. But I think we have seen, in the season, that he is improving, and he will keep improving, I am sure.”
David De Gea is out of contract at Manchester United in the summer but there’s an option to extend it for another year. However, we don’t think Erik ten Hag will ask his management to trigger the extension because he’s already identified De Gea’s replacement.
Man United are being linked with Porto’s Diogo Costa and the Red Devils have been regularly scouting the 23-year-old.
Costa has been in peak form this season and in 97 appearances for Porto, he’s managed to keep 41 clean sheets. The rumours are ripe that Costa will become the long-term replacement for De Gea and there’s a big chance that United will go after him in the summer.
The Portuguese international is under contract until 2027 and his current market value is €45 million. Porto fully understands how valuable Costa is is why they are likely to quote around €70-75 million if a club comes calling in the summer.
This price tag should not be a problem for Manchester United but they are not the only club interested in the 23-year-old because Tottenham are also keeping tabs on Costa.
Some experts believe Conte wants Diogo Costa as heir to the ageing Hugo Lloris and if this is true then Man United are in for a tough fight.
It’s almost certain that De Gea is not going to be the long-term keeper at Old Trafford so either he will have to move down the pecking order or leave the club in the summer. Now, as far as his replacement is concerned, Diogo Costa seems to be that man but the Red Devils will have to fight a tough transfer battle in order to bring him on board.
