Revealed: The real reason Man United made eleventh-hour David De Gea U-turn

Transfer Correspondent AUTHORITY Former Sky Sports and ESPN FC correspondent who specialises in global recruitment, contract negotiations, and high-velocity transfer breaking news. FOCUS Exclusive reporting, domestic and international transfer markets, and elite-level insights. THE INSIGHT Pete utilises a Global Network of Industry Sources to deliver verified, first-to-market reporting. His “Deep-Lens” analysis connects the dots between boardroom strategy and pitch-level recruitment, providing a level of transfer clarity that goes beyond surface-level rumours.

Published on:

30 Jun 2023, 9:30 am

Man United U-turned on David De Gea's contract as he didn't have the full trust of manager Erik ten Hag, sources have told Football Insider.

The long-serving goalkeeper agreed a pay cut with the Red Devils and put pen to paper - but United pulled out of the deal and offered reduced terms at the eleventh hour.

De Gea's contract is set to expire on Friday (30 June), meaning he could walk away from Man United for free 12 years after joining the club.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that the decision to renegotiate the deal comes down to reservations held by Ten Hag.

It is believed the Dutchman doesn't trust De Gea after a string of high-profile mistakes in the 2023-24 campaign.

As such, he was offered a new deal which represents a big cut on his previously reported £375,000-a-week wage.

Ten Hag's reservations come even after De Gea won Premier League’s Golden Glove award for the 2022-23 campaign after keeping 17 clean sheets in 38 games, conceding 43 goals in the process.

The former Spain international shot-stopper has been at Man United since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2011 – and has racked up 545 appearances for the club.

He has won the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and two League Cups while at Old Trafford.

Man United are expected to move for a new first-choice shot-stopper - as was the plan had De Gea pledged his future to the club.

Football Insider revealed earlier this month (24 June) that Ten Hag's side are in pole position to sign Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana for around £50million after new talks with his camp.

Meanwhile, sources told Football Insider on Wednesday (28 June) that Aston Villa are braced for Man United to make an offer for World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez.

In other news, Qatar overpaying by £2.5bn as Glazer "premium" revealed.

Manchester United