David De Gea: Erik Ten Hag Reiterates His Focus On Keeping The Erroneous Goalie

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    Manchester United are keen on keeping David De Gea for the future despite his various howlers across the season for the English side.

    De Gea has had a wishy-washy campaign manning the post of Manchester United but Erik Ten Hag has reiterated his commitment on keeping the Spaniard.

    The 32-year-old presently leads the race to win the Golden Glove award for the most Premier League clean sheets in the 2022/23 campaign.

    However, David De Gea has also been responsible for many notable errors across the season, most recently in their Europa League loss to Sevilla which resulted in their elimination from the competition.

    David De Gea  was responsible for Manchester United's loss to West Ham United on Sunday
    David De Gea was responsible for Manchester United’s loss to West Ham United on Sunday

    He was also culpable for Manchester United’s defeat in their last Premier League encounter against West Ham United which could cost them a place in the top-four. 

    Three minutes before half of the hour mark, Said Benrahma ran through on goal before shooting from outside the penalty box with a slow and weak effort which De Gea should have had no issues dealing with, but the Spaniard made a mess of it.

    Only Jordan Pickford has more errors leading to goals than David de Gea in the last five Premier League seasons with 13 errors over the Spaniard’s 11.

    Erik Ten Hag however stated after the game that David De Gea has his “belief” and such errors happen.

    David De Gea has spent 12 years at Manchester United
    David De Gea has spent 12 years at Manchester United

    He said: “He fully has my belief, No concerns with him. It happens but as a team you have to deal with it, show character, be resilient and bounce back. We want him to stay and extend his contract.”

    “He has the most clean sheets in the league so we would not be here in this position without him.”

    Although, the former Ajax manager did admit that the mistake was a bad mistake that had cost Manchester United the encounter.

    Ten Hag said: “I think we all know, David knows also, it’s a mistake, but he’s a brilliant goalkeeper. Mistakes are part of football and we have to live with them and we have to bounce back as a team.”

    Manchester United’s loss to West Ham was United’s second defeat in four days, after losing by a lone goal to Brighton last Thursday.

    That defeat leaves the Old Trafford club in fourth position just one point ahead of Liverpool, but they have one game outstanding.

    Erik Ten Hag stated the players don’t have to feel sorry for themselves but they have to be united in their bid to end the season in a top four spot.

    He said: “You can’t feel sorry for yourself. Stick together, individuals take responsibility and make sure you have the energy and focus. Play as a team and we’ll get results, we’ve proven it all season. 

    The 53-year-old added: “Tiredness is in your head and if you want you can take it out. It’s not about Liverpool, it’s about us and because of the table we have everything in our hands.”

    David De Gea joined Manchester United from Atletico Madrid in the year 2011 for £17.8million and he has spent 12 years with the club.

    He currently leads the race for the golden glove award for the 2022/23 Premier League season with 15 clean sheets amassed after 34 games, 2 more than the closest challengers.

    David De Gea has won the most Sir Matt Busby Player Of The Year alongside Cristiano Ronaldo

    De Gea jointly holds the record alongside Cristiano Ronaldo for the player to have won the most Manchester United Player of the Year award with 4 to his name.

    The Spaniard overtook Peter Schmeichel in February 2023 to record the most clean sheets in Manchester United’s history.

    De Gea, the man who has made the 10th-most appearances for Manchester United surpassed Peter Schmeichel taking his clean sheet tally to 181 after 523 appearances.

    He has gone on to make 188 clean sheets for the English giants afterward.

    Additionally, David De Gea’s salary is expected to be reviewed and reduced in his next contractual agreement with Manchester United.

    Manchester United are also said to be eyeing a new goalkeeper as backup option for next season as Jack Butland could exit the side this summer.

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