Manchester United first-team coach Benni McCarthy has said it would be a 'crime' for the club to lose goalkeeper David de Gea this summer.
The Spaniard, who joined United from Atletico Madrid back in 2011, is out of contract at the end of this month and is yet to put pen to paper on a fresh deal, though he is expected to extend his Old Trafford stay. United have a big decision to make in relation to the goalkeeping department this summer and could bring in a new shot-stopper during the transfer window.
De Gea, despite winning the Premier League's Golden Glove this season, racking up 17 clean sheets, has still faced plenty of criticism throughout this season, certainly in recent weeks. He was blasted by former United captain Roy Keane after Ilkay Gundogan's second goal in Saturday's FA Cup final defeat at Wembley.
But despite mounting concerns about his suitability to the way that Ten Hag wants United to play, McCarthy believes the club should do all they can to retain his services.
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McCarthy, speaking on 947 Joburg, said: "He kept 17 clean sheets in the league. Yes, of course, you're going to concede, but to win the Golden Glove for yet another season is remarkable.
"You see how difficult the league is so I understand that everyone has a bad game here and there, but it doesn't stop him from being one of the best goalkeepers I've seen and I've worked with. He is unbelievable.
"I work with him every single day and I get to see first hand more than what most people get to do. You only see him on a Saturday or on a matchday, and if you see him make a mistake the critics hit the roof.
"But I get to spend every single day with him and he is an unbelievable guy, a great lad, very intelligent and one of the best goalkeepers I have seen. It would be a crime if Man United lose a goalkeeper like David de Gea."
Last week, prior to the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City, Ten Hag confirmed that he expects De Gea to stay at Old Trafford this summer, though he warned that he could not not guarantee that he would remain the club's No.1.
Asked if he will stay at the club, the Dutchman said: "Yes, but I will not say he'll always be my No.1 because in a club like Man United there must be competition in all positions. You can’t do it with 11 players. It is impossible. You need double positions."
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