MX23RW : Thursday, January 30 22:57:44| >> :60:1733:1733:

David De Gea announces desire to retire at Manchester United

De Gea announces desire to retire at Man United
© Reuters
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, who is out of contract in the summer, announces his desire to retire at Old Trafford.

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has announced that he intends to hang up his boots at Old Trafford amid speculation surrounding his future.

The Spain international has now entered the final six months of his contract with the Red Devils and is free to begin discussions with foreign clubs over a pre-contract agreement.

De Gea, who has been with Man United since 2011, could then depart on a free transfer at the end of the season, and the Red Devils have not triggered a reported one-year extension clause in his deal.

The 31-year-old has held his position as Man United's number one under Erik ten Hag, having kept Dean Henderson and Martin Dubravka - who has since returned to parent club Newcastle United - at bay.

Nevertheless, the Red Devils have been linked with a host of goalkeepers in the event that De Gea does leave, namely Jan Oblak, Jordan Pickford, Yann Sommer and Diogo Costa.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag with goalkeeper David de Gea on October 30, 2022© Reuters

Crystal Palace's Jack Butland is also understood to be of interest to Man United, who have been left with Tom Heaton as their senior backup following Dubravka's return to Newcastle.

However, speaking to Sky Sports News, De Gea - who turns 33 in November - expressed his desire to continue in goal for the Red Devils until he ends his playing career.

When asked about the contract talks rumbling on in the background, De Gea responded: "I'm very relaxed. I just focus on training, perform as best as I can. But, for sure, it's going to end in a good way.

"I hope (to stay for the rest of my career). I was saying this is my club, I've been here many, many years and it's a huge honour to be here and I'm so happy here."

Rather than trigger a one-year extension until 2024, as they have done for Diogo Dalot, Marcus Rashford, Fred and Luke Shaw, Man United are understood to be discussing a more long-term agreement with De Gea.

David de Gea in action for Manchester United on August 13, 2022© Reuters

Since arriving from Atletico Madrid for a €25m (£22m) fee in the summer of 2011, De Ge has managed 177 clean sheets in 510 appearances for Man United across all tournaments.

The 32-year-old boasts 12 shut-outs from 23 games in the 2022-23 season, posting his most recent one in Tuesday's 3-0 Premier League victory over Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

De Gea has won the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and three Community Shields at the Theatre of Dreams, although he is now approaching his sixth year without a piece of club silverware.

Man United moved level on points with third-placed Newcastle United courtesy of their three-goal win over Bournemouth, and the fourth-placed Red Devils sit two points clear of Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand.

Ten Hag's side next begin their quest for FA Cup glory when they tackle Everton at Old Trafford on Friday evening.

ID:503458:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6089:
Written by
Ben Knapton

David de Gea future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about David de Gea

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
David de Gea in action for Manchester United on August 13, 2022
Read Next:
Man United 'reluctant to offer David de Gea new deal'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22165154213353
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2313553327644
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle23125641271441
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth23117541261540
8Aston Villa2310763435-137
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2381053531434
10Fulham238963431333
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
16Everton225891928-923
17Leicester CityLeicester2345142549-2417
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2344153252-2016
19Ipswich TownIpswich2337132147-2616
20Southampton2313191653-376


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!