Reports suggest that Manchester United will consider releasing David de Gea from his contract this summer, as the club’s hierarchy looks set to cut their stratospheric payroll costs.
De Gea has endured something of grace in recent years, but has retained his place as United’s number one despite pressure from the emerging Dean Henderson.
The 24-year-old has impressed when he got the chance; he made a costly mistake against AC Milan at the San Siro, but has kept clean sheets in three Premier League games on the spin while De Gea has been in Spain for the birth of his child.
After two very successful loan spells with Sheffield United, he has made 19 appearances for the Red Devils this season and there is a growing feeling that he will eventually place De Gea to become the club’s number one.
However, the mirror seems to have jumped on the gun a bit by claiming that United are prepared to release De Gea this summer – two years before his contract expires – to clear space on the salary cost.
Their exclusive, which has since been chosen by The Mail, The Sun and others, claims that the Old Trafford hierarchy is so desperate to get its huge salary off the bill that they are willing to pay a “significant portion” of his remaining contract ahead for to move him further.
This is in direct conflict with what 90 minutes reported last month: that United are open to offers for the 30-year-old, but will not actively push to sell him out of respect for his contribution.
PSG keeps an eye on De Gea. ?
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) March 7, 2021
The Spaniard has made more than 400 appearances for the club and has won the Premier League and FA Cup in the process, and United are unlikely to start anything that would ruin their relationship. Like, for example, waiving his contract and letting him go too soon.
Where The Mirror is more or less on the money is when they claim that United are keen to market Henderson as soon as possible. They do not want to hinder England cap development and are well aware that the longer he spends as De Gea’s underrated, the more likely he is to seek a future elsewhere.
But they intend to find a balance that suits everyone and do not seem likely to remember to tear up contracts anytime soon.
