Roy Keane demands Man Utd axe star who’s sabotaged Ten Hag, as replacement £40m signing gets double confirmation
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Man Utd legend Roy Keane
Roy Keane savaged an award-winning Man Utd star who he believes should be turfed out with all haste, and an ideal £40m-rated replacement is ripe for the picking.
It’s been a season of forward progress at Man Utd, with Erik ten Hag impressing in his maiden campaign in England.
The Dutchman refused to kowtow to the antics of Cristiano Ronaldo and played a major role in turfing the Portuguese great out of Old Trafford mid-season.
Elsewhere, his signings – such as Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro – have added steel and determination to a side who were guilty of wilting under pressure under former managers.
The Red Devils also qualified for the Champions League and ended their six-year trophy drought when lifting the EFL Cup. If United can best bitter rivals Man City in the FA Cup final next Saturday, Ten Hag will make it a domestic cup double.
However, while it cannot be argued United are trending in the right direction, club legend Roy Keane believes their progress would be even more rapid without David de Gea in the team.
Keane has publicly voiced his doubts over the Spain international in the past and did so again on Sunday.
De Gea received his golden gloves award for keeping the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season. His mark of 17 put him three clear of Liverpool’s Alisson Becker.
However, De Gea has committed four errors that have directly led to a goal this season – a figure only matched by Tottenham’s fast fading Hugo Lloris.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane urged Ten Hag to move De Gea on “quickly”. De Gea is out of contract on June 30 and is currently in negotiations over a new deal.
“He’s made far too many mistakes over the years” – Keane
“Manchester United had to improve defensively from last year because they were so bad,” said Keane (via the Daily Mail).
“They’re [United players] all patting De Gea on the back there…I’d move him on quickly. He wouldn’t be for me, he’s not going to get Manchester United back winning trophies, absolutely not.
“The idea that the players are patting him on the back is ridiculous, that’s his job.”
Keane then suggested De Gea should not even be retained as the back-up in the event Man Utd sign a new high profile stopper.
“No, you wouldn’t keep him as a No 2. He wouldn’t want that, he wouldn’t stay for that,” continued Keane.
“He’s done okay, he’s won a few Player of the Year awards – but what big deal is that? It’s about what the team is achieving.
“I think he’s made far too many mistakes over the years. He was trying to leave the club for a few years ago and go to Real Madrid.”
Man Utd get greenlight to sign David Raya
Despite contract talks with De Gea taking place, United are understood to be hunting a new goalkeeper in the market.
Brentford’s David Raya is on the club’s radar and Bees boss Thomas Frank recently confirmed the 27-year-old is for sale. Raya is out of contract in 2024 and has refused to sign an extension.
“I think we only have one player for sale,” said Frank. “That’s the one that’s been talked a lot: David. He costs £40m, I think I said.”
Adding further fuel to the Raya exit fire is the fact Brentford have just wrapped up an agreement to sign his replacement – Freiburg’s Mark Flekken.
With a successor on the way and Raya confirmed to be on the market, all the signs are pointing towards an exit this summer.
Tottenham too have been linked with Raya, though the Daily Mail claimed they’re hesitating over the price tag. Spurs don’t wish to pay more than £20m for the Spain international which will no doubt go down like a lead balloon at Brentford.
The door is therefore ajar for Man Utd to act more decisively and if Roy Keane had his way, ditching De Gea would be United’s first order of business this summer.