Erik ten Hag has opted against following the advice of Manchester United legend Roy Keane and has continued to select David de Gea as the Red Devils goalkeeper.
The Spaniard has come in for plenty of criticism during his time between the sticks for United in recent years, most notably from Keane who launched an astonishing rant against De Gea two years ago during 'Project Restart'. The ex-Old Trafford star claimed he is "sick to death" of the 'keeper and would be "swinging punches at him" after another error.
De Gea's form at club level has been notably turbulent, with periods of stellar shot-stopping matched by spells where the 31-year-old looks like a weak link for his side. There have been times where the calls to replace him as United's first-choice have grown incredibly loud.
Though he has managed to remain top of the pecking order at Old Trafford, he hasn't been as fortunate at international level. Spain boss Luis Enrique views De Gea as outside of his top three 'keepers to call upon for La Roja, with Athletic Bilbao's Unai Simon, David Raya of Brentford and Brighton's Robert Sanchez all preferred.
Ten Hag clearly disagrees with Enrique's assessment, as he has kept faith with De Gea for his first competitive game at the helm of United as they take on the Seagulls at Old Trafford for the opening game of their Premier League season.
The Dutchman's belief in De Gea became apparent when he agreed to sanction the temporary departure of the Spaniard's deputy Dean Henderson, who has since joined fellow Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
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Henderson's longest spell of regular first-team football at United came at the tail-end of the Premeir League's resumption following the Covid-19-enforced suspension. It was just prior to his introduction into the side when Keane did not hold back in his assessment of De Gea.
The Irishman told Sky Sports: "I am sick to death of this goalkeeper. I would be flying in at half-time. I would be swinging punches at that guy. This is a standard save for a standard, international goalkeeper. I am flabbergasted. There's got to be some stuff going on at half-time.
"If I was Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer, then United manager), I'd make some changes. Get some lads off the pitch. There are lads out there going through the motions a bit. Not that United have been bad. But you've got to flex your muscles. Maguire and De Gea, I wouldn't even let them on the bus after the game. Get a taxi back to Manchester."
With limited time left in the transfer window and other, more pressing areas to address, it is clear De Gea is about to embark on another season as United's first-name on the teamsheet with the full-backing of his new manager.
