Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd handed transfer boost as ideal De Gea replacement is ‘very likely’ to leave this summer

Ben Stewart
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez celebrates after team-mate Ollie Watkins (not pictured) scores their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at the London Stadium, London

Manchester United are considering their options in the goalkeeping department with the future of David De Gea up in the air.

While Erik ten Hag himself has publicly backed De Gea of late, the club are thought to be scouring the market for his potential replacement.

De Gea has kept 15 clean sheets this season but has been prone to a mistake or two. Ten Hag would also ideally like a goalkeeper who is more comfortable with his feet.

Aston Villa shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez has attracted interest from plenty of clubs and a fresh report has claimed that he could leave this summer.

TyC Sports reporter Gaston Edul has explained the latest situation regarding the Argentine goalkeeper.

“Dibu Martinez is likely to change clubs in June,” Edul explained on Twitter. “It does not have an exit clause.

“There are three Premier League clubs that have it in the pipeline: Tottenham -with more interest, Chelsea and Manchester United. Very likely to go a step further in the next market.”

Aston Villa are a club on the up under Unai Emery and so an exit this summer for Martinez would come as a surprise. However, if a side like Man Utd does come calling, they would be tough to turn down.

Martinez showcased at the World Cup that he is one of the best goalkeepers in the business and he deserves to be playing Champions League football.

This season he has kept 11 clean sheets in the league and boasts an impressive save percentage of 73.6%. For context, De Gea has a save percentage of 70% this season.

Ten Hag still backing De Gea

Despite the constant talk of signing a new goalkeeper, Ten Hag has continuously backed De Gea in his press conferences.

The Spanish goalkeeper has played over 500 games for the club and Ten Hag is seemingly reluctant to push him out.

Even after his latest mistake against West Ham, Ten Hag jumped to the goalkeepers defence and insisted he wants him to sign a new contract.

“Frustrating? Yes, I’ve seen it in the same way. I think we started well, dictated the game, created chances, didn’t take them and then one mistake,” Ten Hag said after the game.

“(De Gea) has the most clean sheets in the Premier League, we would not be in this position without him. No concerns. It happens but as a team you have to deal with it, show character and resilience.

“We want him to stay and to extend his contract.”

While Ten Hag seems to be the driving force behind keeping De Gea at the club, plenty of pundits have questioned the Spanish goalkeeper this year.

Club legend Paul Scholes has been one pundit to question whether Man Utd would be better with a different goalkeeper.

“I think the only weakness you’d say is he’s not great with his feet, he’s not a brilliant footballer from the back and I’d think this manager does want that.

“On the other hand, how do you replace a goalkeeper of his quality? To me that [clean sheets] are the most important thing, but modern day football, they want a goalkeeper who can play football, don’t they?”

READ MORE: Man Utd star ready to turn back on Ten Hag and secure surprise move back to homeland