Gary Neville agrees with Roy Keane that the time has come to ‘get rid’ of David de Gea, with the Irishman doubling down on his belief that Manchester United’s No.1 is overrated.
The Spaniard, who is out of contract at the end of this month, made several high-profile gaffes this season but nevertheless won the Premier League Golden Glove award after keeping 17 clean sheets.
Keane, though, branded it ‘ridiculous’ that De Gea was being praised for his performances this season and urged Erik ten Hag to bring in a new goalkeeper.
The former United midfielder was largely panned for his comments but he has clarified his logic – feeling there is no point in keeping him around as backup if Ten Hag wants a new No.1 – and Neville has begrudgingly agreed with his old skipper.
Speaking on Sky Bet’s The Overlap, Keane explained: ‘My point was, if De Gea’s in goal next year I don’t think that will help close the gap to Manchester City, that’s the way I look at it.
‘And then you wouldn’t keep him as a No.2 because he’s been No.1 for years – that’s in a respectful way. Not some sort of punishment, but if he’s not going to be No.1 then you move him on.
‘People ask me why I don’t rate De Gea: because I think he makes too many mistakes – and that is a bloody good reason!
‘Part of the goalkeeper’s job is to be organised and to dominate the back four, we mentioned Peter Schmeichel earlier, shouting at people. That’s what you need. You mentioned Joe Hart being a good shot-stopper, well I hope he is! He’s a bloody goalkeeper! You’re supposed to be good at stopping shots! It’s more about the package.
‘I think if you’re a goalkeeper and you’re behind a bad back four you’re going to be making saves. But the real goalkeepers are organised and United have been a bit better this year but I don’t think he will close the gap on what Man United need against Man City. It’s tough!
‘If you do let him go, it’s what you bring in then to replace him – you have to bring in better. There’s no point letting De Gea go and then bringing in someone who’s not up to it, but that’s United’s job to be looking for a replacement for the last few years because he’s getting older.’
Neville begrudgingly agreed, though does feel it is an issue which could potentially wait until next year: ‘They do need to get rid of him either now or if they’ve not got the money then obviously a year later is the maximum.
‘I don’t know how much money is there, so they might not be able to replace De Gea and, say, buy Harry Kane – if they were looking to do that – in one hit.
‘So they might say, “OK, we’ll have to cope with him for another year because we don’t want to spend £50m-£70m on a goalkeeper because we want to get Harry Kane and another player” and then next year they do that [replace De Gea].
‘But I agree with Roy, a goalkeeper is everything to a league Gary Neville agrees with Roy Keane that Man Utd need to ‘get rid’ of key man, you have to have a brilliant goalkeeper, you have to have an unbelievable goalkeeper.’
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