Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has said he is in a ‘contemplative’ mood amid uncertainty over his role at the club.
The 32-year-old is among the longest serving players at Old Trafford, and has made over 500 appearances since signing in 2011.
He played every Premier League minute this season and topped the clean sheets charts, but he seems unlikely to remain Erik ten Hag’s number one after a series of costly errors this season.
Shot-stopping stats show the keeper’s individual performance was closer to that of a mid-table player, despite United’s third place finish.
There is thought to be a contract on the table for De Gea when his current deal expires this summer, but he would likely to take a significant pay cut and play reduced role in the squad.
He now appears to be using the off-season to think about his future, as the Spain international posted a video on Twitter of him wading through a pool with the caption: ‘Relax. Recharge. Contemplate.’
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United have been linked with Porto’s highly-rated stopped Diogo Costa, although he does seem keen to stay in his native Portugal.
If a deal can be agreed, De Gea could still pay an important role as a backup after Jack Butland’s loan spell ends.
There are some who still see De Gea, who has won the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League with the Red Devils, as the right option for the club going forward.
‘He kept 17 clean sheets in the league. Yes, of course you’re going to concede but to win the Golden Glove for yet another season is remarkable,’ United goalkeeper coach Benni McCarthy told 947 Joburg.
‘You see how difficult the league is. I understand everyone has a bad game here and there but it doesn’t stop him being one of the best goalkeepers I have seen or worked with. He is unbelievable.
‘I get to see first hand more than what most people get to see. You see it only on a Saturday, you see a player make a mistake and the critics hit the roof.
‘But I get to spend every single day with him and he is an unbelievable guy, a great lad, very intelligent and one of the best goalkeepers I have seen. It would be a crime if Man United lose a goalkeeper like David de Gea.’
