Pranav Nair
Manchester United earmark Alex Meret to replace David de Gea
According to ESPN, Manchester United are keeping tabs on Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret as a potential replacement for David de Gea.
De Gea, who has served United for close to a decade now, has come under scrutiny owing to his errors. Although capable of the spectacular, his levels of consistency have fallen in recent years.
The report goes on to add that de Gea will continue in goal for the 2020-21 campaign. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is, however, keen to bring in competition for the Spaniard.
Meret has been identified as that candidate by the United scouting team. A promising keeper, the Italian’s set of skills could see him become a leading shot-stopper in the coming years.
The 23-year-old joined Napoli from Udinese in 2015. Following two good loan spells at SPAL, he returned to the San Paolo to be used in a rotational role with David Ospina.
He was eventually benched by new manager Gennaro Gattuso, who favoured Ospina. Meret did have the last laugh when he came in for the injured Colombian and helped Napoli defeat Juventus in the 2020 Coppa Italia final.
A lack of faith?
What bearing this has on the future of another United goalkeeper – Dean Henderson is unknown. The Englishman returned to Old Trafford after a successful two-year loan spell at Sheffield United.
Henderson’s performances for the Blades came in for much praise with some even calling for him to take over from De Gea.
The same age as Meret, Henderson is keen on having a starting role at United and will push for a move if he is told otherwise. He is not short of suitors with both Sheffield United and Chelsea watching on with interest. (h/t Mirror)
Meanwhile, current United number two, Sergio Romero is set to have showdown talks with the club over his future.
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Although Meret is a promising talent, bringing him to Old Trafford could open up a Pandora’s box. Henderson has shown he has what it takes to succeed at the highest level while Romero has shown he is an able backup.
The only shot-stopper with something to prove at the moment is de Gea. It makes no sense for the club to put blind faith in a player if he fails to perform.
Whether United bring in Meret or not remains to be seen. If they do, there will have to be a number of decisions taken in the goalkeeping department this summer.
