EXCLUSIVE
I’ve seen lower league goalkeepers better than David de Gea and it’s time for Manchester United to use Dean Henderson
Tony Cascarino says he’s seen lower league goalkeepers better with the ball at their feet than David de Gea, and it’s time for him to leave Manchester United this summer.
The Spaniard’s future at the club is uncertain after his errors led to the Red Devils crashing out of Europe - ending their hopes of a possible treble this season.
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That is coupled with the fact De Gea is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of the current campaign.
Man United have the option to trigger a one-year extension to his deal, but are yet to do so due to his form and eye-watering £375,000-a-week salary.
It appears, then, that De Gea could be set to depart United on a free transfer in the summer after 12 seasons with the Premier League giants.
In that time the 32-year-old has collected one Premier League title, one FA Cup, two EFL Cups and one Europa League trophy, and was for a long time considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
But his powers have waned in recent years and, despite leading the Golden Glove race with 14 Premier League clean sheets this season, he does not fit in with Ten Hag’s plans to play out from the back - as his blunders against Sevilla in the Europa League proved.
That’s the verdict from Cascarino, saying a change between the sticks is overdue at Old Trafford and that Ten Hag should give Dean Henderson a run at No.1 next season.
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Speaking about the one-year anniversary of Ten Hag’s appointment on Friday, Cascarino was asked about the manager’s plans and said on talkSPORT’s Weekend Sports Breakfast: “I certainly think he’s a manager who knows what he wants, what he wants to do with the club and how he wants the team to play.
“I think it’s been a really tricky transition for him, there are a lot of challenges at Manchester United - they have a wage bill that is very high, they overpay a lot of players on long contracts.
“This will be the first really big summer for Ten Hag, because the business they do will have a major impact on what type of team he has. I think there will be a lot of business done by the club, a lot of people leaving and some of them will maybe be a bit unexpected.
“I’m not even sure De Gea survives, because Ten Hag is going to want a footballing goalkeeper.
“Ten Hag comes from the Ajax academy of football, and his players must be technically very good to play in a certain way. Look at all the leading clubs in the country, look at Pep Guardiola’s decision at Man City to get rid of Joe Hart because he wanted Ederson who could play much more with his feet. Arsenal made the same decision with Aaron Ramsdale, Liverpool with Alisson.
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“Goalkeepers have been changed at a lot of the clubs that are doing really well. I’ve got stick for saying this in the past, but if Tottenham want to play in a different way they’ve got to have a much better footballing goalkeeper than Hugo Lloris.
“I think that’s where Manchester United are with David de Gea. You’ve got to be able to play with your feet. I watch lower league football and I’ve seen goalkeepers who are way superior to De Gea with their feet. I’m telling you, I’ve seen a good few of them and they are better.
“I watched Dean Henderson a lot at Sheffield United and he was fabulous. He then came back to Man United, it didn’t go particularly well for him and then he got an injury.
“I still think there’s time for Henderson to make the most of an opportunity that can be there, but again that’s up to Ten Hag and what he thinks.
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“Certainly as a goalkeeper I’d say he is very, very capable.
“Remember, De Gea is not No.1 for Spain. We’re not talking about an elite goalkeeper, here. He hasn’t even played for Spain since October 2020. Three years down the line he’s still Man United’s first choice.
“He’s had good seasons, for sure, but with his feet I’m just not convinced and I believe Ten Hag will implement a goalkeeper who is far more capable with his feet this summer.”
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