A Look at Goalkeeper Options and Replacing De Gea

[Adnan]

It looks like it's over. The club haven't even offered him a firm proposal per the report below.

 

[Big Ben Foster]

It looks like it's over. The club haven't even offered him a firm proposal per the report below.

Now that it's not just the Disco Mirror reporting it, I'm feeling a lot more confident about this.

 

[Rake]

It looks like it's over.

The sole fact that he can leave in 2 weeks but has not received an offer speaks volumes about his status as a starter.

Inter could sign him for free and sell Onana to us.

 

[Rightnr]

Whatever your opinion of the guy, he's a club legend, even if it was in a pretty shitty period for the club.

The fact he's leaving before Maguire is puke-worthy.

 

[Big Ben Foster]

Whatever your opinion of the guy, he's a club legend, even if it was in a pretty shitty period for the club.

The fact he's leaving before Maguire is puke-worthy.

Maguire's contract is still running, his isn't. Not really an equivalent situation.

 

[ifightdragons]

UTD weren't offering £375k per week. If we were he would have signed. The contract offer is probably around the £150-£175 range, hence he is reluctant to take a 50% pay cut. I think he will go, but the big question is who replaces him.

Yes, I'm fully aware of that.

The comment I responded to pertained to his original contract, not the reduced wages on a potentially new contract.

But the point is the same. He is not even worth half of the original wages. He's simply an outdated keeper and a reliability.

There are keepers in league earning 50k who are simply better than him.

De Gea would be lucky to even earn 100k in any decent team, hence why not even some La Liga teams are in for him. Saudi Arabia would be his only choice to even come close to his current (or potentially reduced) wages. But the Saudi league is insane and would probably offer him a million.

 

[Cassidy]

The fact he's leaving before Maguire is puke-worthy.

It is not, he was on the decline before Maguire arrived

 

[Rightnr]

Maguire's contract is still running, his isn't. Not really an equivalent situation.

Correct but still makes me cringe. And any people rejoicing over it are quite pathetic but whatever.

Class has died in football, it seems.

 

[Davie Moyes]

I am a big fan of DDG but the idea of replacing him is very much about scoring more goals. There are plenty of videos online explaining how the GK is critical as the extra man in 'playing out from the back' that almost all PL teams have now adopted.

The typical situation of playing against a team like City or Liverpool, or even Brighton, is that our back four and the two holding midfielders will be under constant pressure immediately after we start with a goal kick. Six players from the opposition will be well drilled to give our six players no more than a one-touch pass before it becomes a contest. One touch passes are pleasing on the eyes, but if you get it wrong in your own half you are very likely punished.

The only reliable way out of such a press that does not involve extravagant skill or unnecessary risk, is if the GK plays much higher up at the edge of his own box, to lure one of the opposition six in to close him down. De Gea doesn't do that as we know. Normally that opposition player rushing in would have been marking / minding one of our CBs a second earlier (let's say that's Haaland). So this gives the GK the opportunity to pass to that CB vacated by Haaland, such as Lisandro or Varane, who's good with the ball and can now turn, advance or pass while unmarked.

But against a really top team, one of their remaining five pressing players would have anticipated the GK's pass and seamlessly moves to close down the receiving CB (often as soon as the first presser goes towards the GK; watch how De Bruyne moves in a seemingly inexplicable direction only a split second after Haaland rushes towards the GK in many matches), to still force only a one-touch pass / awkward take facing own goal that does not allow a clean turnaround for attack. The way to break that second pressing move is for the GK to find one of our player who's just been left unattended to by "De Bruyne". This will usually be either LB, RB, Casemiro or Eriksen. Now they are further away than the CBs, so the pass will normally be 20-30 yards minimum, possibly need to be able to clear a pair of players who are in the way (for example our CBs and their minders). De Gea is very probably below average by current Champions League standard with that kind of passes.

A keeper who's near the top end with that kind of pass will consistently give a player such as Casemiro five seconds in the middle of the park to do his job unattended to (if the player marking Eriksen rushes in, just find Eriksen with a 10-yard pass, all their other pressing players are too far away). When Casemiro looks up, four of our attackers will be against their back four, pulling in all kinds of direction left, right and centre. If Rashford is quicker than their RB, for example, a well-placed through ball will lead to a race, with either a shot or a cross from a dangerous position the best outcome.

So yeah, as incredible as it sounds, GK has a major impact on how the team create goal scoring opportunities. Obviously having Robin van Persie will work better than Weghorst, too, seven days a week. But the current understanding of football at this level does not really allow thinking such as 'goalkeepers have little to do with goalscoring'.

Sorry to bring up an old post, but just seen this now, and have to acknowledge this as a great post.

 

[James35]

Watch us keep Henderson because we don’t have enough money for any top keeper. That would be even worse.

 

[Amsterdam Devil]

Let him go, sign Onana.

 

[L1nk]

Watch us keep Henderson because we don’t have enough money for any top keeper. That would be even worse.

I believe by the way in which FFP/Budgets work is if we let go of De Gea we save so much money in terms of wages that we were paying him that it could actually fund signing a GK like Costa no problem... that's how much we were paying DDG

 

[Bastian]

Watch us keep Henderson because we don’t have enough money for any top keeper. That would be even worse.

Worst case scenario isn't worse than retaining de Gea, in that sense. Say we don't get him a new deal, sell Henderson, and can't afford Onana/Maignan/Costa and Verbruggen has signed for Brighton, we can still then get a cheap deal for a GK who won't be excellent but still tactically sound enough to improve our overall play (i.e. Sommer or similar).

I am definitely of the opinion that we need to get rid of all the players first before we start adding to our side, the sooner the absolute better.

 

[Rolaholic]

 

[Gandalf]

I believe by the way in which FFP/Budgets work is if we let go of De Gea we save so much money in terms of wages that we were paying him that it could actually fund signing a GK like Costa no problem... that's how much we were paying DDG

Not sure that would be the case as he is out of contract so the budget does not include his wages at this point anyway. I would be very happy to be proved wrong though.

 

[L1nk]

Not sure that would be the case as he is out of contract so the budget does not include his wages at this point anyway. I would be very happy to be proved wrong though.

I think it's something that, in terms of FFP it includes everything from signing fees to wages to agent fees etc, so if we aren't paying DDG whatever the hell it was, some stupid amount per year, that amount is put back into the FFP and our budget can be stretched further due to amortisation. Honestly i'm not sure on the detailed specifics either but I definitely heard/read this explanation from somewhere.

 

[RedC]

Some absolute morons in this thread abusing one of our best players in the last decade.

 

[NLunited]

This situation was bound to resolve itself this way. Best of luck, David.

Now getting a ‚modern‘ gk is a priority.

 

[Winrar]

The time is right to part ways with DDG, as much as I appreciate his service for us.

Onana seems to fit the bill well to replace him. From what I understand, Inter need money and ETH had a good working relationship with him.

 

[Jericho]

What about Gavin Bazunu? Very good with the ball, and Southampton just got relegated. For the right price he'd be worth a shot.

 

[Maluco]

What about Gavin Bazunu? Very good with the ball, and Southampton just got relegated. For the right price he'd be worth a shot.

I think he was, statistically, the very worst keeper in the league last season.

Post-shot expected goals for Alisson (the best) was +10, Bazunu was -16.

In other words, letting in 16 more goals than he should have and a massive reason why Southampton went down.

 

[Marcelinho87]

Correct but still makes me cringe. And any people rejoicing over it are quite pathetic but whatever.

Class has died in football, it seems.

No room for sentimentality, to be the best you have to be ruthless.

Pat him on the back, thank him for his service and close the door.

 

[Rightnr]

No room for sentimentality, to be the best you have to be ruthless.

Pat him on the back, thank him for his service and close the door.

He should have had a proper send-off at OT.

I don't mind getting a new goalie given his salary demands but there's a way to do this and I thought (some) United fans were better than this.

 

[KD6-3.7]

Watch us keep Henderson because we don’t have enough money for any top keeper. That would be even worse.

No. The worst case scenario would still be having De Gea as our first choice GK.

 

[Pronewbie]

Some absolute morons in this thread abusing one of our best players in the last decade.

Reckon he's just a scapegoat for poor player management over the decade. We were spoilt by Fergie's ability to cut loose at the right time (mostly).

 

[croadyman]

Reckon he's just a scapegoat for poor player management over the decade. We were spoilt by Fergie's ability to cut loose at the right time (mostly).

Not a scapegoat at all it's just the role of a GK really changed around 2018,so as @Marcelinho87 says time to say thanks for 12 years service but need to move in different direction

 

[MadDogg]

He should have had a proper send-off at OT.

I don't mind getting a new goalie given his salary demands but there's a way to do this and I thought (some) United fans were better than this.

I would hope the club will organise a testimonial to give him a proper send-off. Preferably before the season started, but if that's too short-notice then come back and do it in 12 months time.

Despite how much I do want him to leave and think he's been holding us back massively over the last five years, I still do want him to get a proper goodbye.

 

[croadyman]

I would hope the club will organise a testimonial to give him a proper send-off. Preferably before the season started, but if that's too short-notice then come back and do it in 12 months time.

Despite how much I do want him to leave and think he's been holding us back massively over the last five years, I still do want him to get a proper goodbye.

Yeah he is definitely worthy of that

 

[Sunny Jim]

No. The worst case scenario would still be having De Gea as our first choice GK.

You are kinda right. There is no way Henderson should be even considered for No 1 spot

 

[LawCharltonBest]

I love De Gea. And if he leaves now as the Golden Glove winner he can declare his last season as a success

But the time is now. United need to move on

 

[KD6-3.7]

You are kinda right. There is no way Henderson should be even considered for No 1 spot

Even if De Gea leaves and we are unable to bring in someone like Onana or Costa we'll be more likely to bring in a stop gap than have Henderson as No.1

 

[Swordsman]

The sole fact that he can leave in 2 weeks but has not received an offer speaks volumes about his status as a starter.

Inter could sign him for free and sell Onana to us.

Why would inter downgrade their keeper ?

 

[Rolaholic]

 

[giggs-beckham]

Go on Erik put your foot down

 

[izec]

Music to my ears

 

[Pronewbie]

Not a scapegoat at all it's just the role of a GK really changed around 2018,so as @Marcelinho87 says time to say thanks for 12 years service but need to move in different direction

In the context of the level of vitriol, he is. Because the fans have had to put up with so much mismanagement over the years.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I mean, it’s good news if ETH puts his foot down and pulls the trigger here. But a damning indictment on literally everyone else at the club that he needs to intervene. It’s like none of them are capable of understanding the most basic data. Which has obviously hurt us in positions other than goalkeeper. And we’ve no reason to think we won’t make the same dumb decisions again this summer.

 

[red.knight]

We need ball-playing and sweeper GK. I personally like Onana. His passing accuracy is hands down best of any keeper I have seen, forget about the stats just watch his game he is able to pick a single person in a crowded midfield. Apparently, he wants to leave Inter already and Chelsea are after him. We could easily get him because of Ten Hag and potential CL football next season.

Emi Martinez is a very shrewd choice - Good age, not expensive, big personality - I'd take him - may turn out to be another Van der Sar type signing for Utd.

Donnarumma certainly not attainable this summer but wouldn’t be surprised if he looks to leave the Paris circus next year. Trading may be facilitated between Utd & PSG if we get Jassim. That means PSG buying Maignan from Milan and moving Donnaruma to Utd so that would be one to keep an eye on. Still only 24.

Ter Stegen. With Barca needing to clear out the squad I can 100% see someone like Ter Stegen be forced out and probably replace him with cheaper option like Manuel Neuer who has fallen out with the Bayern board.

Diogo Costa just ticks all the boxes but I do not expect us to sign a really expensive keeper like him unfortunately.

Gregor Kobel of Dortmund makes a very good case of being Utd keeper.

Would like to throw in David Raya. He'll cost 20-30m which is a reasonable price.

Any of these guys would be great options. All depends on the budget. Either way De Gea cannot be number 1 anymore we need to move on.

 

[Rolaholic]

I mean, it’s good news if ETH puts his foot down and pulls the trigger here. But a damning indictment on literally everyone else at the club that he needs to intervene. It’s like none of them are capable of understanding the most basic data. Which has obviously hurt us in positions other than goalkeeper. And we’ve no reason to think we won’t make the same dumb decisions again this summer.

It definitely is, the same report states that the club would seemingly rather tie DDG down and spend 15m on a backup rather than pay up the type of money required for a new no.1. It's the type of decision that will have ramifications for years to come so I really hope the gaffer keeps his foot down and gets his way in the end.

 

[King7Eric]

He should have had a proper send-off at OT.

I don't mind getting a new goalie given his salary demands but there's a way to do this and I thought (some) United fans were better than this.

I think the issue is he has let us down so many times in the last 4-5 years it's made a lot of people bitter towards him. An outfield player invariably gets dropped when he's that bad but he's continued to play as the #1 and that has left people utterly frustrated and exhausted with him.

I have to admit even I really want him gone at this point and while I do get the point about fans showing appreciation, I think fans recognise that "our better than this" attitude as a club has gotten us nowhere and want to see more ruthlessness.