Premier League giants Manchester United will lose their first choice number one Edwin van Der Sar this summer.
The veteran Dutchman has decided to call time on his career at the age of 40. He will be really hard to replace.
Linked
Manchester United have been linked with a number of keepers in recent months but the one who has been most heavily linked with the Red Devils is Atletico Madrid stopper David De Gea.
There was even talk of a summer move already being agreed.
However the youngster has came out and denied that a summer move has already been arranged. The 20 year-old told a press conference:
“There is nothing, it is all lies, I know nothing about offers from any team, whether it is other clubs or a renewal from Atletico.”
Quality
De Gea has come to prominence in the last 18 months after breaking into the Atletico Madrid first team and becoming their first choice keeper. His keeping skills definitely belie his age. His performances have brought comparisons with the veteran Van Der Sar, not just for his ability but for his stature as well.
He is a commanding keeper with good shot stopping abilities. He has almost all the qualities required to be a world-class keeper. The only thing that he is slightly lacking in at the moment is experience but he will only gain that with first team football.
Young
The only factor that will work against De Gea signing for Manchester United is his age. De Gea is good but his lack of first team experience will work against him. United seem to want an experience replacement for the reliable Van Der Sar.
United are also said to be chasing German international keeper Manuel Neuer. The Schalke keeper has more experience than the Spaniard. His experience in European and international football would probably give him the edge over the youngster.
I can’t see Sir Alex Ferguson taking the risk of making a 20 year-old his number one next season, although the veteran Scot has got a record for giving youngsters their chance in the first team.
Highly-rated
David De Gea is highly-rated after his meteoric rise in the last year and a half. Manchester United are not the only top European team to be linked with the 20 year-old. Spanish champions and giants Barcelona have also been linked with a move for De Gea.
His profile is growing by the game and more clubs are likely to be interested in snapping up the youngster. I’m sure that come next summer there will be a list of clubs willing to pay the reported £22million minimum fee release clause.
Leaving
Not only will United be losing first choice Edwin Van Der Sar this summer but they will also be losing reserve keeper Tomas Kuszczak, who has decided to move on in search of first team football. That would leave the Red Devils with just one senior keeper, Anders Lindegaard.
And the Dane has yet to make a Premier League appearance for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side since his £4million January switch from Norwegian club Aalesund. The fact that the 27 year-old has played such few games shows that his manager isn’t quite sure about the keeper.
It doesn’t look like Manchester United will be making Lindegaard their number one anytime soon, so Sir Alex will be looking to add a top quality keeper to his squad this summer.
Choice
Judging from common opinion amongst Manchester United fans they would like the club to sign Schalke’s highly-rated Manuel Neuer instead of the young Spaniard. Just for the fact that De Gea hasn’t as much experience at the top level as the German international.
David De Gea has major potential and I’m sure the youngster will become a top class goalkeeper. He will only get better with more first team games but this summer maybe too soon for a move to Old Trafford.
Which goalkeeper would Manchester United fans like to sign this summer?
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