Man Utd told it’s ‘time for a new era’ as pundit suggests brutally dismissing club stalwart

Gabby Agbonlahor has told Manchester United it’s “time for a new era” without David de Gea in goal, as his contract saga is continuing.

De Gea is one of the best goalkeepers to have ever graced the Premier League. The Red Devils no.1 has kept the fourth-most clean sheets in the history of the competition, with 147.

Should he continue at United beyond this season, he’ll surely overtake Mark Schwarzer’s tally of 151.

It’s not a given that De Gea will still be at Old Trafford next season, though. His contract runs out this summer, and he’s currently negotiating with United.

If he does pen his new deal, it’s suggested he’s in line for a big pay-cut.

That might seem harsh, given he won the Premier League Golden Glove this season, having kept 17 clean sheets so far – the next best tally currently is 14, with Alisson and Nick Pope both on that figure.

De Gea might be thinking along the same lines. Indeed, while reports at the beginning of May suggested he was close to putting pen to paper, the extension still hasn’t been finalised.

While it’s unclear what the hold-up is, there might be a chance he doesn’t sign at all.

Agbonlahor feels wage cut is fair

Former Premier League forward Agbonlahor has suggested a wage cut is fair, given he feels De Gea’s form is dwindling currently.

“I think a wage cut is fair enough,” he told Football Insider.

“He’s not worth £350,000-a-week at the moment. You’ve got to be squeaky clean – like Allison or Ederson.

“You can’t make mistakes – and the mistakes that De Gea has been making, you can’t earn that money.”

While De Gea has obviously been part of a good rearguard at United, having won the Golden Glove this season, he has been criticised for some mistakes of late.

Man Utd told to enter new era without De Gea

Due to that, Agbonlahor went a step further and suggested United should dismiss him and look elsewhere for a goalkeeper.

“To be honest, if I was Man United I wouldn’t have given him any new deal,” he added.

“It’s time for a new era in goal and a new goalkeeper. The errors he is making every week are just not good enough.”

They have a ready-made successor in the wings in Dean Henderson, with former United man Dimitar Berbatov recently stating he “deserves a chance” at Old Trafford.

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