MANCHESTER UNITED’S OVERSIGHT in failing to tie David De Gea to an improved contract last year has developed into “a big problem” for the club as the goalkeeper’s suitors — lead by Real Madrid — seek to take advantage of the situation.
Although United initiated discussions with De Gea’s representatives over an extension last season, the Premier League club have yet to make a formal offer of a new deal. Indeed, it is understood that, contrary to reports this week, talks are still not planned despite serious interest from around Europe.
With the current contract due to expire next year, that indecisiveness has effectively enabled the Spain international to determine the terms — and location — of any new deal. And it means United will have to act fast if they are to tie their star performer down to a new long-term deal, or at least ensure they receive maximum value when Europe’s top clubs come knocking this summer.
Alex Ferguson recruited De Gea from Atletico Madrid at a domestic-record fee for a goalkeeper of €22.7 million in 2011. A more rounded Number One for his time at Old Trafford, De Gea was named the club’s Players’ Player of the Year for his performances last season and has been fundamental in lifting an inconsistent team to third place in the Premier League this term.
Real Madrid regard the 24-year-old national team goalkeeper as an obvious solution to their long-standing problems with Iker Casillas, yet merely represent the wealthiest of the clubs interested in extracting him from Old Trafford. “It will be a big problem for Manchester because everyone wants De Gea,” said a close friend of the player.
On Louis van Gaal’s request, United have already invested heavily in an additional world-class goalkeeper, handing Victor Valdes a lucrative 18-month deal this week. “He joins the club as the number two goalkeeper and is a great addition to the first team,” the manager said.
The deal, which includes the option for a one-year extension, was sealed in part because of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding De Gea’s situation. Though Anders Lindegaard looks set to depart the club, Valdes’ arrival also ensures the club have a quality, ready-made back-up should they lose De Gea.
The club have essentially been forced to put contingency plans in place following months of inaction.
It is understood that executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward allowed contract discussions to stall last season as the club focused on securing a successor to David Moyes as manager. And while this campaign’s delay has permitted Van Gaal and his goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek to make their own decision on De Gea’s abilities it has come at a considerable cost to the club, with any chance of a renewal dependent on making the player one of the best-paid footballers in England.
Much of Van Gaal and Hoek’s work with De Gea has focused on improving the Spaniard’s work with the ball at his feet. On Hoek’s analysis that is an area in which the former Barcelona No.1 Valdes already excels.
“Victor is a goalkeeper but he is also the 11th outfield player and capable of constructing play,” said the specialist coach the year before last. “The work of Valdes at Barcelona consists 80 per cent of the time in constructing play, while the other 20 per cent of the time he does the normal work of a goalkeeper. He receives very few shots against his goal.” The club’s casual attitude towards De Gea’s contract situation was evident on Friday when Van Gaal responded to questions over the likelihood of his No.1 extending his stay at Old Trafford.
“I think so, yes. I think there is no problem for him to sign,” he said.
“When you are a [regular] player, then probably you are the best, and then the manager is very happy that a player that is fixed in the line-up will stay.”
But with Europe’s top clubs already alerted to the possibility of signing one of the world’s top goalkeepers for a reduced fee, Van Gaal and United would be well advised to open and conclude negotiations swiftly.
By Duncan Castles, Goal.com
Cmon the cats!!! The cream always rises
Great great win fair play to management made the changes when required.
TJ just fantastic.
As a KK man I didn’t see that happening. That soft 21m goal put a shine on the score. The young lads in KK a really after cutting their teeth in the league. It’s a joy to watch these 2 teams playing each other. Pure hurling.
@Jason Pierce: No bullshit and players thinking they are prima donnas deserving this that and the other under Cody.
Hurling skills exceptionally well imparted and your name or club mean nothing it’s all about the end goal All Ireland medals In Kilkenny. No sulking no county boards run by old dinosaurs and county secretary’s picking teams.
In short hats off to Cody and his players magnificent ambassadors for a simple game – players die with their boots on in other counties they want you to tie their laces
Tipp didn’t play at all in second half.
Rumours of Kilkenny’s demise greatly exaggerated
Still need a full back Padraig Walsh playing full back like a wing back, caught bad the last two games for two goals.
Unfair on him as he’s a class wing back.
Looking forward to a good battle here. I think Tipp will shade it with stronger panel but it is at Nowlan Park .
@Finnster: :)
C’mon Tipp!!!
That’s the young lads bedded in nicely, Cody rebuilding what could be a very good team
Plenty comments bout Kilkenny being a 1 man team relying on TJ but wot bout tipp Jason Forde got 2-12 & not a word bout it…..
@Ray Power: Ssssssh Ray sure if some folk can’t see a past that their better off, we all know Tipp would be fine without J Forde same as Cork without P Horgan Galway without Joe Waterford without P o Mahoney I could go on but yah know yourself lad tis all KKs fault.
@Dae Monicus: dats a fact
@Ray Power: An sure here’s another one lad KK are a one manager team! 20 national titles in twenty years with many different groups of players, like him or not that speaks for itself.
The Tipp bench should have a big say in the result.Tipp Abu
Great camogie coverage there. Don’t miss a beat.
Kilkenny relying on frees again, but in fairness to them they win an incredible amount if them and have done all league.
@James Doyle: really ? That all you got ?
Not a great game, KK would be lost without TJ Reid he is the glue keeping it together throughout the league . Also some playacting from both sides to get frees.
@Finnster: ya there fair reliant on tj both sides missing a few but without Reid kilkenny pretty average
@Back pass: Jason forde scored 2 12 of Tipp’s tally, would u not think that there screwed without him!???
@Back pass: Yeah, an average young team, beating a seasoned tipp team. Pretty average league champions.
@Finnster: lost all right…another piece of silverware though…Tipp were beaten all over in the second half. Crying the cats won again ?
@Finnster: and without Jason Forde Tipp brutal not up for the fight for a National title. Forde 2.12 only man that stood up. Tipp full back line big problem area. Fix quick or dry year again.
@Aidan Maher: in all fairness Finnster talks through his are. 18 from Forde and Kilkenny are a one man team.
What are tipp at? Ryan has lost the plot. We barely beat Limerick with the same tactic of high balls into the t-rex forward line. If they were in Africa at the height of the Ebola outbreak they still wouldn’t have caught any thing. Well done TJ Reid and your 14 apostles.
Hope Tipp stuff kk
Now it’s getting lively . Why can’t Tipp put Kilkenny to the sword ? On paper Tipp are by far a better team
@Finnster: there was never a game won on paper
@Finnster: because they are heartless.they are not called one in a row for nothing.
@Finnster: its called balls
I’ll take that Good game, fair play to Tipp tis early days but their a serious outfit who will I reckon be one side in the final later in the year, some good performances from KK time to crack open the suds.
Well done Kilkenny but the long grass awaits
Neither team imposing themselves,but still think Tipp will prevail
@Michael Sage: completely wrong there my friend no full back line and big questions now heading into the summer
Come on Tipp