Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been told that David de Gea seems 'uncomfortable' with his 'unorthodox' style a worry ahead of this weekend's FA Cup final against Man City.
De Gea has made some high-profile errors this season, with mistakes in matches against Seville and West Ham recently throwing the 32-year-old into the spotlight. He will line up for United this Saturday's FA Cup final, facing Man City's fearsome attack, with the task of stopping Erling Haaland to prevent City from winning a famous treble.
Contract talks with the 'keeper are thought to be ongoing, with a cut to his reported £375,000 per week wage expected. However, there is also the consideration that a new keeper may be brought in, who would be more suited to ten Hag's style of play and push to take de Gea's place in the first team.
Former Manchester City and England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley has spoken about de Gea's future at the club in her BBC column ahead of the final, revealing that his style could be a problem for United in the match.
She explained: "My worry for Manchester United before Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City is that while David de Gea's saving technique has always been unorthodox, now he often looks uncomfortable.
"That's no great surprise, given the amount of change he has experienced this season. From the club's new playing style under Erik ten Hag, to the unsettled backline in front of him and the unpredictability of the decisions they make."
Despite the changes, De Gea won the Premier League's Golden Glove award, with the United man getting 17 clean sheets as the club finished third. However, the need for evolution in the role of goalkeeper is becoming increasingly important in the modern game and De Gea's contract expiry poses an important issue for his club.
United have been linked to a number of players to come in and fill the role of goalkeeper, with Jordan Pickford named as a potential option alongside David Raya at Brentford.
Bardsley continued: "You cannot discuss De Gea at the moment without considering his future - he is out of contract in the summer - and I think it's clear if he is to stay, he will need to evolve very quickly.
"If United are going to progress, it feels obvious they need someone calm and decisive in goal, with unshakeable confidence and, for me, De Gea is not yet that person.
"He's been an amazing servant to the club but put yourself in Ten Hag's shoes. While United's squad planning has been a mess for a few seasons due to their transient managerial situation, they now have someone in charge who has a clear identity in mind for his team, but does not have the players he needs to implement it yet, including a goalkeeper.
"I hate to take the human element out of the equation but, from a purely financial standpoint, it also makes sense to look for a new number one based on his age."
