Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has suggested that David de Gea's contract situation at Old Trafford could be addressed during the World Cup.
The 31-year-old has played all 17 of Man United's matches during the 2022-23 campaign, keeping eight clean sheets in the process, including one in Sunday's 1-0 victory over West Ham United in the Premier League.
De Gea was in impressive form against the Hammers, making three late saves to keep out Michail Antonio, Kurt Zouma and Declan Rice during a strong period for David Moyes's side.
There remains huge uncertainty surrounding the stopper's future at Old Trafford, though, as his current deal with the 20-time English champions is due to expire at the end of June.
Man United do have the option to activate a further 12 months on his agreement, but there have been suggestions that the club want to sign a new long-term number one.
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Porto's Diogo Costa and Athletic Bilbao's Unai Simon are among the goalkeepers to be linked with moves to Old Trafford, but Ten Hag has hinted that De Gea will stay at the club.
The goalkeeper is not expected to be named in the Spain squad for the World Cup, which could lead to contract discussions taking place during the tournament, which begins next month.
"This issue about negotiating [contracts], we said first we are focusing on the games. When we come to an end with this block, we have the World Cup and then we have to think about them," Ten Hag told reporters.
"In the background we have our strategies for how to deal with it. It is clear already and I have already emphasised it several times, I am really happy with David. He is a great goalkeeper.
"He is only 31. He is fit. He can progress even more. He was already impressively good for Man United and I think he will do that in the future as well."
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Ten Hag has also rejected suggestions that he does not believe that De Gea has the ball-playing abilities to thrive in his system.
"Everyone has his own opinion but for me, the first thing for a goalkeeper is to protect the goal and make sure you don't concede goals. In that fact he is magnificent," said the Dutchman.
"But with the feet he has capabilities as well. That is not only with the keeper but also the one in front and what options you give to bring passes in. I am convinced he can do it. The games so far he proved it."
A recent report claimed that De Gea would have to be prepared to accept a huge wage cut if he wanted to sign a new long-term contract with Man United.
The former Atletico Madrid youngster, who has now made 504 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions, recently expressed a desire to stay at Old Trafford "for more years".
Matt Law
