David de Gea has expressed his wish to stay at Manchester United for the rest of his career as talks over a new contract continue.
The 32-year-old’s current deal runs out at the end of the season, with United holding the option of a one-year extension, but there have been talks over a longer-term contract.
“I’m very relaxed,” De Gea said when asked about his contract situation. “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.”
United are currently looking to bring in extra competition for De Gea after Martin Dubravka returned to Newcastle leaving Tom Heaton as the club’s second-choice keeper with the 36-year-old named on the bench for Tuesday night’s win over Bournemouth.
Crystal Palace’s Jack Butland, whose contract is up in the summer, is one of the options United are exploring and sources have told Sky Sports News that the club are prepared to discuss a fee with Palace to get the 29-year-old now rather than wait until the summer.
Butland, who was part of England’s 2018 World Cup squad, is yet to make an appearance for the Eagles this season and is thought to be keen on the idea of a move to United.
Borussia Monchengladbach’s Yann Sommer is someone United have scouted for a while but any move for the 34-year-old would be unlikely if De Gea signs a new deal.
De Gea showed his importance to United again in Tuesday night’s win over Bournemouth as he made key saves from Philip Billing and Jaidon Anthony to keep the score at 2-0 before Marcus Rashford got United’s third to seal the win.
Another clean sheet means United have not conceded at home in the league since their 3-1 win over Arsenal in September – a record which will next be tested by Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne et al when Manchester City visit on January 14 following FA Cup and Carabao Cup fixtures.
“That’s how it should be to come here – it should be a tough place for the teams, let’s see in the future,” De Gea said.
“We are playing really well, we have to keep the momentum as much as we can and prepare every game as a final and recover well. We have to recover really well because we play a lot of games (this month).”
That defensive record has been key to United’s surge up the table since they began the season with back-to-back defeats.
“We were talking, everyone is ready, everyone is focused, everyone is training really well, everyone is in the same direction, so this is massive,” De Gea said when asked what has changed from last season.
“It doesn’t matter who is playing. Even the substitutes, it doesn’t matter who came in, they put everything on the pitch, we have great team spirit and for me it’s great to see the players play in this way.”
United stayed in fourth on Tuesday after Newcastle’s draw at Arsenal, but are level on points with the Magpies and only one behind City ahead of their trip to Chelsea on Thursday.
With 13 wins from the last 16 in all competitions, their form is a match for anyone – a testament to the impact Erik ten Hag has had this season.
“He’s doing well,” De Gea said. “He puts every player in the same direction and we feel like a proper team. Everyone wants to win, everyone wants to play for this club and that’s massive.
“He brought a great spirit to the team, we are playing really well and this is the way we have to show and keep the momentum as well.”
And De Gea also revealed Ten Hag’s exacting standards when asked about the manager’s verdict on what proved to be a comfortable victory.
“He was happy with the clean sheet, but at the same time he was a bit angry because we conceded too many chances,” De Gea said. “We were too open at the end of the game, so he was a bit angry.”
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