David de Gea: I want to finish my career at Manchester United | Jack Butland negotiates short-term deal | Football news
David de Gea has expressed his desire to stay at Manchester United for the rest of his career as talks over a new contract continue.
The 32-year-old’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season, with United keeping the option of a one-year extension, but there have been talks over a longer-term deal.
“I’m very comfortable,” De Gea said when asked about his contract situation. “I’m just focused on training, performing as well as I can. But for sure everything will turn out well.
“I hope (to stay for the rest of my career). I said this is my club, I’ve been here so many years and it’s an honor to be here and I’m very happy at it. this.”
United are now looking to bring in more competition for De Gea following Martin Dubravka’s return to Newcastle and have been linked with a move for Crystal Palace’s Jack Butland.
De Gea showed his importance to United again in Tuesday night’s win over Bournemouth as he made key saves from Philip Billing and Jaidon Anthony to keep the score 2-0 before Marcus Rashford scored United’s third to seal the victory.
Another clean sheet means United have not conceded a goal at home since a 3-1 win over Arsenal in September – a record that will next be tested by Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and associates when Manchester City’s visit on January 14 follows the FA Cup and Carabao Cup fixtures.
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Erik Ten Hag praised his team for winning the result but did not believe it was his team’s best performance, as they beat Bournemouth 3-0 at Old Trafford.
“That’s how it should get here – it’s going to be a tough place for the teams, let’s see in the future,” De Gea said.
“We are playing very well, we have to stay motivated as much as possible and prepare every game like a final and recover well. We have to recover well because we play a lot of games ( this month).”
That defensive record has been key to United’s rise to the top since they started the season with successive defeats.
“We talked, everyone is ready, everyone is focused, everyone is training very well, everyone is in the same direction, so this is fantastic,” De Gea said when asked. Ask what has changed from last season.
“It doesn’t matter who plays. Even the substitutes, it doesn’t matter who comes on, they give everything on the pitch, we have great teamwork and for me, it’s great to see the players. players play this way.”
United are fourth on Tuesday following Newcastle’s draw with Arsenal, but are level on points with the Magpies and just one point behind Man City ahead of their trip to Chelsea on Thursday.
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WATCH FREE: Highlights from the Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth.
With 13 wins in their last 16 across all competitions, their form is fit for anyone – a testament to Ten Hag’s impact this season.
“He’s doing well,” De Gea said. “He puts every player in the same direction and we feel like the right team. Everyone wants to win, everyone wants to play for this club and that’s fantastic.
“He’s brought a great spirit to the team, we’re playing really well and this is how we have to show and stay motivated.”
And De Gea also revealed Ten Hag’s exacting standards when asked about the manager’s verdict on what proved to be a comfortable win.
De Gea said: “He was happy with keeping a clean sheet, but at the same time a bit angry because we conceded so many chances. “We were too open at the end of the game so he got a little angry.”
Palace goalkeeper Butland is an option
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland could come
Butland is an option Manchester United are considering as a new goalkeeper, with a source saying Sky Sports News The club are negotiating a deal for the Crystal Palace player.
United are looking for a new number two after Newcastle recalled Dubravka from his loan at Old Trafford after he made just two Carabao Cup appearances for the Reds following his summer arrival.
The Slovakia international now looks set to be replaced by Butland, who is free to speak to clubs outside of England with just six months remaining on his current contract at Selhurst Park.
Source said Sky Sports News that United would love to have Butland now rather than wait until the summer and are therefore open to discussing a fee with Palace.
The 29-year-old, who was part of England’s 2018 World Cup squad, has yet to feature for the Eagles this season and is said to be very interested in the idea of a move to United.
Following Dubravka’s departure, Tom Heaton is now United’s second-choice with the 36-year-old named on the bench in Tuesday night’s win over Bournemouth.
