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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
David McDonnell

Erik ten Hag gives David de Gea update and admits Man Utd have "room for improvement"

Erik ten Hag is confident David De Gea will sign a contract extension with Manchester United.

De Gea is out of contract next month, with United having decided against triggering an option to extend his £375,000-a-week deal by a year. United want De Gea to take a pay cut of around £175,000-a-week, on a more incentivised deal, with the two parties yet to reach an agreement.

But Ten Hag remains confident a deal will be struck and said: “I think we want him to stay and he wants to stay, so I think we will find each other.”

Asked for the reason for the hold up, Ten Hag said: “I never give a comment about how negotiations are going.”

Ten Hag wants to sign at least four players this summer, with England trio Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Mason Mount among his targets.

After securing Champions League football for next season, Ten Hag said: “We can still improve with this squad, as we did this season. That's the job I have to do with my coaching staff. We made huge progress, many individuals made progress. Now we have a good base.

“I think there's still a lot of room for improvement with this squad, but when you get the right players, it will give you more depth and a better standard. Then you have more chances to be in the top four and more chances to win titles and trophies.”

Man Utd keeper David de Gea is closing in on a new deal (CameraSport via Getty Images)

United’s next challenge is to offer a more sustained title bid, with Ten Hag admitting aspirations like that can only be set out after this summer’s transfer window.

"It's difficult to say this," he said of ambitions for next season. "We have to see how you come out of the transfer window.

"As I see it now, I think we need more, but I don’t have so much patience. That is one of my mistakes. I want to win every game, but also as I've just tried to explain, it’s tough here.

"There are really good teams, especially this season. Not only this season but Manchester City are playing outstanding football. We are in the right direction, but we have work to do. It’s a work in progress."

Erik ten Hag insists his side needs to keep improving after securing a place in the top four (Sky Sports)

The Red Devils sit two points ahead of Newcastle in fourth, but with a vastly inferior goal difference they will likely need a win on the final day to secure third place. After that, it will be full focus on Wembley and Manchester City as they look to lift a second trophy - and halt their noisy neighbours’ own march to the Treble.

He added: “You already said it and next week [is] going to be big and huge, and we will do everything in our power. It's not [going to] be easy, but yeah, we have to get well-prepared and give us the best chance to get that cup.

“We have a great opportunity and you don't get such opportunities so often. And then, of course, we are working in the background. Then we go through next season, but that's far away."

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