As a result of allegations that David de Gea had accepted a job offer before Manchester United pulled the plug, his future at the club has become even more uncertain.
One of the most important uncertainties at United right now is who will start in goal for Erik ten Hag’s squad in the upcoming campaign.
After 12 years and 545 appearances in all competitions, De Gea’s contract at Old Trafford will expire in only three days.
They have already begun preparing for life without him, with names like Diogo Costa and Andre Onana of Inter Milan being mentioned as potential transfers.
The De Gea contract dispute seems to have dragged on as long as any of United’s years-long attempts to sign their recruitment targets.
It has long been anticipated that the former Atletico Madrid star player would have to give up his enormous salary in order to remain.
Mark Goldbridge criticized the club for the 32-year-old’s ‘disgusting’ treatment, and he won’t be pleased with the most recent information.
According to The Athletic, the goalkeeper had already agreed new much reduced terms with United but the club didn’t sign the contract and backed out of the deal.
United then offered him a different proposal with even further reduced wages but De Gea is yet to agree to the new terms.
The player is now considering what to do and still wants to play at the top level, which means that Saudi Pro League clubs may have to look elsewhere.
Even if he did remain at Old Trafford there is no guarantee that he would continue to be Ten Hag’s preferred starter in between the sticks.
To say that he had a mixed bag of a campaign last season would perhaps be being kind on him, although he was the Premier League’s Golden Glove winner.
Outside of that though there was a number of high profile mistakes from the Spaniard, including in the FA Cup final for Ilkay Gundogan’s winner.
His ability to pass out from the box or lack thereof was questioned even before last season began, with the manager preferring that style of play.
