Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was fortunate to agree a “phenomenal” new contract at Old Trafford, according to former Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho.
The 28-year-old had entered the final year of his deal before reaching an agreement on fresh terms which are set to keep him at the club until 2023.
De Gea’s new Man Utd deal: Five things to know
- De Gea joined Man Utd from Atletico Madrid for £18.9m in 2011.
- The Spain international has made 368 appearances for Man Utd.
- De Gea almost signed for Real Madrid during the 2015 summer transfer window.
- The club and De Gea’s representatives were negotiating over fresh terms for over two years.
- De Gea was in the last year of his deal before agreeing a new contract which runs until 2023.
The Spaniard has undoubtedly established himself as a key figure at Man United, but his stature has dipped in recent months as he struggled for form at the 2018 World Cup and throughout the duration of the 2018/19 season.
De Gea’s questionable form culminated in him losing his place in Spain’s national side to Chelsea counterpart Kepa Arrizabalaga, although it remains unclear whether he
De Gea came closing to joining Real Madrid four years ago at a time when he was widely regarded to be the best goalkeeper in world football but what was previously a long list of suitors has shortened of late.
And Mourinho believes that a lack of potential moves open to the goalkeeper means that the new deal somewhat flatters the shot-stopper’s value.
“I think the moment he’s signed his huge contract, is a moment where I don’t think Man United need to pay as much to have him,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.
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“One or two years ago, he had the world after him. In this moment, I think the majority of the big doors are closed. Real Madrid door is closed, Barcelona is closed, PSG is closed.
“I don’t see [Man] United under pressure because David is going to disappear. He gets a phenomenal contract in a moment where he’s a bit lucky to get it.”
De Gea has kept two clean sheets in six Premier League matches this season – against Chelsea in the opening game and versus Leicester last week – but could not keep West Ham in a 2-0 defeat at the London Stadium.
Andriy Yarmolenko’s opening strike for the Hammers means that Man United have not managed to record a clean sheet on the road in any of their last 11 away matches in all competitions.
Aaron Cresswell added a free-kick late on, prompting Gary Neville to criticise De Gea’s “poppadom hands” as he failed to keep the full-back’s effort out.
Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recently welcomed the news of De Gea’s contract agreement, insisting that “David has proved himself to be the best in the world and a vital part of our plans.”
Sergio Romero and Lee Grant are Man United’s other senior goalkeepers, with the former often deputising in cup competitions, but De Gea is very much still at the top of the pecking order.