Mancheter United Looking to Create Competition Amongst Goalkeepers

Erik Ten Hag has stated that he would like to bring in another goalkeeper to Manchester United to maintain a competitive environment with David de Gea.

De Gea, who has been on the Red Devils since 2011, recently won the Golden Glove for the 2022-2023 Premier League season after finishing the year with 16 clean sheets in 38 matches.

However, in a recent interview ten Hag claimed that, although he expects de Gea to re-sign for United after his contract ends this summer, he would not expect the 32-year-old goalkeeper to undeniably remain the number one option.

"“In a club like Manchester United there must be competition always, in all positions”– Erik ten Hag"

Ten Hag will then have to decide whether the competition will occur internally or externally.

Currently, Manchester United backup Tom Heaton’s contract is expected to expire this summer. As well, Dean Henderson is expected to return from a loan spell at Nottingham Forest, which puts him into the running for the next goalkeeper.

If the Dutch boss were to opt for an external candidate during this summer’s transfer window, it is believed that his prime suitors would be Brentford’s, David Raya, and Porto’s, Diogo Costa.

Raya is entering the final year of his contract with The Bees and has rejected previous extension offers, prompting Brentford to try and cash in on the 27-year-old Spaniard. Brentford has recently signed Dutch keeper, Mark Flekken as a replacement for Raya.

Reports claim that Brentford’s price is set at £40 million with a prospective bidding war to take place between Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham.

The other option could be to go with the more experienced Costa. Costa, at only 23 years of age, has played as the starting goalkeeper for Portugal in the 2022 World Cup, as well as won a domestic double in the Portuguese league during the 2021-2022 season, his first season as a starter.

Costa has expressed his feelings to start a new chapter and has a release clause of £65 million, which Manchester United should trigger if they believe he can be a world-class goalkeeper.

Which keeper would you like to see compete against de Gea?