ERIK TEN HAG has hailed No 1 David de Gea as the “complete goalkeeper” despite his Manchester United contract stand-off.
The Red Devils boss is determined the club reach an agreement with the Spanish shot stopper to keep him beyond this season.
De Gea, 32, has been at Old Trafford for 12 years after joining from Atletico Madrid.
His current contract runs out this summer and United want to reduce his wages from £375,000 a week to £200,000 but the player is refusing to sign.
Ahead of United’s Europa League quarter-final second leg against Sevilla on Thursday night, Ten Hag said: “David is a really multi-functional and complete goalkeeper. We are very happy with him.’’
The Dutchman also highlighted how important De Gea is amid the keeper’s uncertain future and question marks over his distribution.
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He said: “Everyone has their own particular style and nowadays in possession, it becomes more important, especially at the top level.
“There you take control and it is more difficult for the opponent to gain pressure, you also concede less chances.
“But it’s about stopping goals, stopping shots, stopping crosses, one-on-ones, more like the classic goalkeeper.”
De Gea currently leads the Golden Glove race with 14 clean sheets in the Premier League and is set to face Sevilla.
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United drew the first leg 2-2 at Old Trafford.
Thirty-one goal striker Marcus Rashford will return tomorrow night after missing two games with a groin injury.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
