With just two months to go until the start of the 2023/24 Premier League season, it is impossible to predict who will spearhead Manchester United's attack in their season opener against Wolves.
29.05.2023 - 20:25 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes David de Gea has showed 'progression' with his footwork at times this season as he contemplates what to do next in his encouraging Old Trafford rebuild.
De Gea, 32, only has a month left to run on his contract - although the relevant parties are in talks - as speculation on his future mounts. However, the long-serving United goalkeeper is not the only uncertainty.
The Manchester Evening News understands £80million captain Harry Maguire is among the players who will be made available for transfer when the market reopens, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka, on the other hand, has revived his United career after it looked almost certain as though he would leave the club after making just one appearance in the opening few months of the season.
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Ten Hag was pressed on that particular trio in a wide-ranging interview with The Times before United tackle their neighbours Manchester City in the FA Cup showpiece at Wembley on Saturday afternoon.
Responding to a question about modern goalkeepers, Ten Hag said: "It's not what I want [top footwork], it's more what top football demands nowadays. If you observe teams, you have to be capable of playing from the back and use your keeper as a plus one. Otherwise it's simple for opponents to put you under pressure. He [De Gea] had to step up. In a number of games, he showed progression."
Reflecting on Maguire's situation amid limited game-time this season, the manager continued added: "He has high competition there with Raphael Varane, who's fantastic. That describes everything [winning the Champions League five times with former club Real Madrid]. No one would be happy with this situation [not playing].
With just two months to go until the start of the 2023/24 Premier League season, it is impossible to predict who will spearhead Manchester United's attack in their season opener against Wolves.
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