Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has confirmed his intention to stay at Old Trafford, declaring that he has ‘a lot of years’ still ahead of him at the club.
Having experienced a downturn in form since 2018, De Gea’s place as United number one came under threat from home-grown stopper Dean Henderson last season and it was thought that a decision as to which would continue would be made this summer.
However, with the start of the new campaign only days away, United still have both goalkeepers in the squad, as well as re-signing veteran Tom Heaton on a free transfer.
It has long been thought that the ambitious Henderson, who managed to dislodge De Gea in March, wouldn’t settle for another season playing second fiddle.
But De Gea is likely to start the season in the driving seat as a result of Henderson’s struggle with prolonged COVID-related fatigue. There are also still another three weeks left of the transfer window for one to leave if the other is chosen, although De Gea seems to have plans to go nowhere.
“It’s been a lot of years at the club and a great source of pride for me to have been able to play for a club like Manchester United for so many seasons now,” the Spaniard told ManUtd.com.
“But you have to live in the present, I think I still have a lot of years ahead of me at the club, I’m excited about that, feeling strong and I’m very keen to do well. I feel great in myself, high in confidence and I think it should be - and has to be - an important season for all of us.”
With Henderson having been unable to be part of the squad’s recent training camp in Scotland, De Gea got the nod for United’s final pre-season against Everton at the weekend. He is likely to keep that role when United face Leeds at Old Trafford in the Premier League this Saturday.
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Source : 90min