Paul Scholes has accused former team-mate David de Gea of being "vague" in comments about his Manchester United future.
De Gea, who won the Premier League in Scholes' final season before retirement a decade ago, can leave Old Trafford on a free this summer. There have been suggestions the Spaniard might yet agree a new deal, though it could be on reduced wages, and he has remained coy on the matter.
United's first-choice keeper made his 400th Premier League appearance this season, as well as his 500th for the club in all competitions. While praising his ex-colleague's achievements, though, Scholes also asked questions about the 32-year-old Spain international.
"That is a very vague answer, if you ask me. Not too sure what to take from that," Scholes told BT Sport amid De Gea's assertion he would focus on his football when asked about his future.
"Look, he’s been a fantastic goalkeeper for Manchester United for such a long time, there were rumours a few years ago when it looked like he wanted to go back to Madrid, going to Real Madrid didn’t quite happen, and look, he’s been a fantastic goalkeeper for Manchester United.
"I think the only weakness you’d say is he’s not great with his feet, he’s not a brilliant footballer from the back and I’d think this manager does want that. On the other hand, how do you replace a goalkeeper of his quality? To me that [clean sheets] are the most important thing, but modern day football, they want a goalkeeper who can play football, don’t they?"
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De Gea spoke to the media on Wednesday, ahead of United's Europa League quarter-final first leg against Sevilla. The Spaniard was part of the United team beaten by the LaLiga side in the same competition back in 2020.
“It is time just to be focused as we play many games in a row," the former Atletico Madrid man said. "It is not time to lose focus and think about contracts. My aim is to keep going and play my best.”
He also spoke out amid criticisms of his own form. While De Gea might not be as good as some rival keepers with his feet, his clean sheet record remains impressive.
“When we keep a clean sheet, it means the team and I did a good job," De Gea said. "But criticism is always there, you cannot please everyone. I have 20 clean sheets, close to the most in Europe, so we are doing a great job and I help the team do it.”
