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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Samuel Meade

Erik ten Hag's two hints that point at further uncertainty over David de Gea's future

David de Gea 's future at Manchester United remains in doubt and the club are very much considering their options going forward.

The Spaniard's contract will expire at the end of the season, albeit the club do have the option to extend it by a further 12 months. No decision has yet been made though amid reports suggesting the goalkeeper will have to take a major pay cut if he is to stay.

“We didn’t make a decision on him, but what I can say is that I am really happy with David De Gea as a keeper,” Ten Hag said back in October. De Gea remains the club's No 1 with Tom Heaton and Martin Dubravka, signed in summer, his understudies at Old Trafford.

Porto's Diogo Costa has been highlighted as an option with Portuguese press suggesting a record fee could be paid to secure the goalkeeper's services.

Henderson option

Dean Henderson though is poised to return in the summer which presents Ten Hag with a genuine competitor for the No 1 spot. The shotstopper had grown frustrated at his lack of minutes in Manchester under the previous regimes and opted to head out on loan.

Ten Hag has kept tabs on the Englishman and spoke positively about his future prospects. "During the season, when the season is coming to an end, we will take a decision and that depends on a lot of factors. He is playing really well at Nottingham Forest," said the Dutch coach.

Henderson was honest about his Manchester frustrations during a TalkSport interview earlier this year where he confessed he wanted to leave the club, albeit on loan, before Ten Hag got the chance to assess him, in fear the United boss blocking any move away.

Pickford possibility

Ten Hag though could opt to cash-in on the Englishman and raise funds with United among several clubs eyeing Jordan Pickford, whose future at Everton remains unclear. His contract talks seemed to have stalled, as per the Daily Mail, with no concrete offer being put to the goalkeeper.

Pickford continued to command the No 1 spot with England and his situation has seen United, Tottenham and Chelsea all consider moves. The goalkeeper currently lives in Cheshire, which means he and his family wouldn't need to relocate were he to swap Goodison Park for Old Trafford.

Everton could be drawn into another relegation battle having narrowly secured survival last term. Pickford would no doubt relish a move to a club in the top four, allowing him the chance to play in the Champions League for the first time.

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