Aheed Abrar
Rio Ferdinand wants Manchester United to extend the contract of 31-year-old shot-stopper David de Gea
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has suggested that the Red Devils should extend the contract of goalkeeper David de Gea. The Spain international is in the final year of his contract with the Old Trafford side.
De Gea started against Everton at Goodison Park on 9 October in United’s 2-1 win. The 31-year-old made some clutch saves at the end to deny the Toffees a comeback.
Speaking about De Gea’s contract situation via the Express, ex-Red Devil Ferdinand has claimed he would want the Spaniard to stay beyond his current deal. The former English defender feels the 31-year-old has shown a strong mentality in Manchester over the years.
“I would give him a contract. I think his character speaks a lot, because he’s had times where he got taken out of the team for Dean Henderson, questioned his quality.”
De Gea was signed by United from La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid in 2011. However, the Spaniard did not have the best of starts to his career at the Old Trafford side. Fans did not feel the shot-stopper was good enough.
However, De Gea developed his game and was, at one point, the best goalkeeper in the world. The 21-year-old’s shot-stopping abilities put him up amongst the elites.
Will De Gea stay?
Unfortunately, De Gea struggled for a couple of seasons after the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The goalkeeper made some high-profile errors in the tournament that saw Spain get knocked out in the round of 16.
There was a question mark on De Gea’s future in Manchester for a couple of years. And the arrival of Dean Henderson led to the 31-year-old losing his regular starting place in the 2020/21 season.
However, De Gea has bounced back since then. He retained the number-one spot in the previous campaign and has since put in impressive displays.
More Manchester United News
- Transfer News: Manchester United identify Odysseas Vlachodimos as David de Gea replacement
- Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes gives his verdict on Cristiano Ronaldo reaching 700-goal milestone
- Transfer News: Inter Miami are interested in Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo
But with the arrival of Erik ten Hag, there is a cloud over De Gea’s future. Fans know that the Spaniard has difficulties with the ball at his feet. Whether that is something that curtails his United career remains to be seen.
