Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has defended under-fire goalkeeper David de Gea, insisting he "wouldn't swap him for anyone".
De Gea's future has been a big talking point this season with the Spaniard out of contract this summer. And after he made another high-profile error in United's 1-0 loss to West Ham last weekend, that speculation only intensified.
Manager Erik ten Hag has publicly backed De Gea and the 32-year-old is now said to have agreed a contract extension. However, he is not guaranteed to remain United's No. 1 with the likes of Brentford's David Raya and Porto stopper Diogo Costa both heavily linked with moves to Old Trafford.
United also have Dean Henderson on their books after the 26-year-old impressed on loan at Nottingham Forest this season. However, Yorke believes De Gea remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world and does not think Raya or Henderson would be able to replace him.
"I have not seen any outstanding goalkeepers that are far greater than David de Gea, so I wouldn't swap him for anyone at the moment, even with the mistakes he's made recently," Yorke told King Casino Bonus. "I really don't think there's many better goalkeepers in the world than De Gea. Is David Raya better than De Gea? I don't think so.
" Manchester United will be looking for a better player as well as a character who can come in and deal with the step up of playing for Manchester United. Maybe Dean Henderson can do it, but I'm not so sure."
So far this season, De Gea has made four errors leading directly to a goal in all competitions, more than any other Premier League player. However, Ten Hag is confident he will bounce back, stating after the West Ham defeat: "He has the most clean sheets in the league so we would not be here in this position without him.
"He fully has my belief. No concerns with him. It happens but as a team you have to deal with it, show character, be resilient and bounce back. We want him to stay and extend his contract." There have also been suggestions that De Gea does not fit Ten Hag's style of play as he is not the best with the ball at his feet, but the Dutchman believes he is a "complete goalkeeper".
"Stopping goals - that is the main job for a goalkeeper," Ten Hag said. "Everyone has their own particular style. Nowadays, in possession, it has become more and more important at top levels. But at the end of the day it is about stopping goals; shots; crosses; one-on-ones. I think David is a complete goalkeeper."
