Manchester United cannot afford to lose David de Gea

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 23: Man Utd goalkeeper David De Gea asks questions during the Group H match of the UEFA Champions League between Manchester United and Juventus at Old Trafford on October 23, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 23: Man Utd goalkeeper David De Gea asks questions during the Group H match of the UEFA Champions League between Manchester United and Juventus at Old Trafford on October 23, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)

Amidst all their problems, Manchester United now risk losing David de Gea, with the Spaniard’s contract set to expire at the end of the season.

Jose Mourinho gave Manchester United fans another huge worry on Friday by revealing in his press conference that he is unsure whether David de Gea will renew his contract with the club. The news is another big blow for the struggling giants, as the goalkeeper has been undoubtedly Manchester United’s best player since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. In fact, he has been the only player who has performed consistently week in, week out for the Red Devils in the past few years.

De Gea has bailed his side out of trouble innumerable times since arriving from Atletico Madrid and has rightfully earned his place in the category of the best goalkeepers in the world. United fans have seen him pull off some outrageous saves over his seven-year stay with the club. But now the Red Devils face losing him at a time when the Old Trafford club is already facing a lot of uncertainties.

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It is easy to see why the Spain international would want to leave, even though he has never publicly shown his desire to do so, unlike some of his teammates. Had he completed his move to Real Madrid in 2015, he would have won three Champions League medals by now. Instead, de Gea has to make do with an inconsistent and error-prone defence in front him. Its difficult to imagine where United would be without their world class goalkeeper, but they certainly wouldn’t be playing Champions League football.

If he does decide to leave, de Gea will have his pick of clubs waiting in line to swoop in for him. He is still only 27 and has at least ten years of quality service left in him. He has always maintained that he loves playing for Manchester United and is very happy at the club and fans will be hoping that his love for the club can convince him to stay.

But it is up to the Manchester United hierarchy to match de Gea’s ambition and give him the contract he wants. Otherwise, things could get even uglier at the Theatre of Dreams.