MANCHESTER UNITED fans are divided over the future of David de Gea at Old Trafford.
The Spanish stopper, 32, has spent more than a decade with the Red Devils, but his contract expires this summer.
De Gea is yet to commit to a new deal with United’s new wage structure likely to mean a massive cut to his current £375,000-a-week pay packet.
United chiefs are unwilling to break the bank for him and fans are split as to whether they’re making the correct decision.
And that debate was perfectly encapsulated in a chaotic, ten-second period during United’s tense 1-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday to keep their top-four dream alive.
On a number of occasions this season, De Gea has proven himself to be something of a throwback keeper – a terrific shot-stopper but lacking control and composure on the ball.
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In Wednesday’s game, Brentford’s frontline put pressure on the United defence and forced the Spaniard to lump the ball long.
But fans were frustrated when his aimless kick was easily intercepted as Ethan Pinnock out-jumped Jadon Sancho to nod the ball on to Ivan Toney.
The England man beautifully turned and sent the ball through to Kevin Schade – putting him one-on-one with De Gea.
Schade attempted to scoop the ball over De Gea as he advanced, but the ex-Atletico Madrid stopper stood his ground and kept the ball out.
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He would go on to keep a clean sheet and help secure a vital three points in the race for Champions League football.
But the whirlwind 10-second period left fans split, with some getting behind De Gea.
One wrote: “That is a long kick… midfield needs to intercept that or Varane should.
“De Gea makes mistakes sometimes but this is not one of them.”
Another said: “Its a goal kick. That’s on the players to win.”
A third added: “How is that goal kick a mistake by De Gea? He launches it upfield and then it’s up to the players to win the first header and the second ball.”
Another tweeted: “How is that De Dea’s fault? He kicks the ball about 60 yards long down the pitch definitely not his fault and a great save in fairness.”
One simply wrote: “Unbelievable save.”
But others were less sympathetic and cast an eye to a future without their four-time Player of the Year.
One ranted: “When you kick long you have to find a player, not just hopelessly to a defender.”
Another claimed: “Best way to describe De Gea is he likes to start fires then wants credit for putting them out.”
A third suggested: “He’s scared to play out from the back… did it on Sunday v NUFC and got punished.
“Against teams who press well they are terrified to play out. It’s either a lack of quality or confidence.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
