‘Move him quickly’ – Roy Keane urges Erik ten Hag to replace Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea
Roy Keane has urged Manchester United to replace David de Gea this summer and said the praise for winning the Premier League Golden Glove was “ridiculous”.
De Gea received the award after United’s final game of the season on Sunday – a 2-1 win over Fulham in which the Spaniard saved a penalty.
But Keane found some scenes at Old Trafford “ridiculous” as De Gea’s teammates congratulated him on winning the award for a second time.
The former Manchester United captain also says De Gea should be ‘moved on’ in the next transfer window as he ‘won’t return the winning trophies to the club’.
United manager Erik ten Hag has repeatedly said he would like De Gea to stay for at least one more season, but Keane believes his former club should plan for life without the 32-year-old. “Manchester United had to improve defensively from last year because they were so bad,” Keane told Sky Sports after the final round of Premier League games.
“You’re all patting De Gea on the back…I’ll pass it quickly.” He wouldn’t be for me, he’s not going to bring Manchester United back and win trophies, no way.
I think he’s made way too many mistakes over the years. He tried to leave the club and join Real Madrid a few years ago.”
De Gea has made 544 appearances for Manchester United since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2011 and holds the record for most goals conceded by a United goalkeeper. His penalty save to deny Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic helped the Red Devils come from behind to beat the Cottagers 2-1 to take third place.
“I think the three points are justified,” said Ten Hag. “I think we created a lot of chances, so I’m happy with this win and happy with third place
“Winning 27 home games [all competitions] in one season is a great achievement. The penalty kick was a turning point. Afterwards we were better organized in and out of ball possession.’
By finishing third, Ten Hag added: “It has been a tough start to the season. We have grown as a team and as individuals. There are many competitors for the first four places. It’s a big compliment for this team.
Manchester United’s season is not over yet as Ten Hag takes his side to the FA Cup final against Premier League champions Manchester City at Wembley next weekend.
Also…
Manchester United vs Fulham LIVE highlights and reaction as Sancho and Fernandes goals secure win
Man United beat Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday and we’ll bring you live match reaction in our dedicated blog.
Manchester United take on Fulham at Old Trafford for their final game of the Premier League season this afternoon.
United defeated Chelsea 4-1 on Thursday thanks to goals from Casemiro, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford. That comfortable victory sealed qualification for the Champions League, which was Erik ten Hag’s first target.
The Reds now have the opportunity to finish the season by finishing third in the table. United have already played Fulham twice this term and they won both of those matches, with the most recent meeting coming in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Fulham were leading 1-0 at Old Trafford in March in that FA Cup clash but they dramatically imploded with three red cards.
Regarding the team news, Antony sustained a ‘serious’ injury in midweek and he’s not available for the game. Luke Shaw also sustained an injury in that win but he is on the bench. Alejandro Garnacho and Fred are among those to come into the line-up.
Follow below for live updates from Old Trafford.
What would you rate the players?
Have your say down below.
FULL-TIME!
That’s the final whistle at Old Trafford.
Three points to end a great season.
Two minutes added
Almost over.
De Gea saves
Another good save from De Gea, who is forced to get down low to deny Fulham.
Fernandes coms off
Pellistri ON.
Fernandes OFF
Mitrovic booked
Mitrovic has lost his head at Old Trafford again.
Yellow card for having a go at Malacia.
Special season for Rashford
To become the first United player since Robin van Persie to score 30 goals in a season has been some achievement. Rashford’s turnaround has been a joy to follow and great to see.
Rashford comes off
Weghorst ON.
Rashford OFF.
Third place in the table
United are set to finish third in the Premier League and they’ve won a trophy, with the FA Cup final still to play. It’s been a great first season for Ten Hag.
Huge applause
Huge applause for Casemiro as he leaves the pitch, with Rashford joining in.
What a transformative signing he’s been this season.
Three changes
McTominay, Eriksen and Martial ON.
Casemiro, Fred and Garnacho OFF.
Drama elsewhere
Everton have taken the lead at home to Bournemouth, which means they will stay up, as it stands.
McTominay coming on
The first change of the game will be made, so it’s likely Casemiro will be replaced by McTominay.
End-of-season treat
This has been a very open game, with action at both ends, and supporters are enjoying themselves under the sun at Old Trafford. It’s been an enjoyable and productive season.
Fred the enigma
Fred couldn’t do much right in the first half and yet he’s managed to get two assists. He’s an enigmatic character and that is him in a nutshell. The second assist was world-class.
GOAL! 2-1 UNITED!
United are ahead thanks to a beautiful finish from Fernandes, who dinks the ball over Leno.
A sensational reverse pass from Fred, probably one of the assists of the season.
‘Leeds are falling apart again’
“Leeds are falling apart again,” is the chant being heard at Old Trafford. United fans are revelling in their historic rivals looking all but guaranteed to drop to the championship.
Brilliant from Malacia
Malacia does really well to roam forward on the left and he’s hacked down – yellow card
Leeds are down
Leeds look set to be relegated, as they’re losing 2-0 against Tottenham
CHANCE!
Rashford bursts through and somehow doesn’t score – he looked certain to find the net.
We’re back under way
Here we go for the second half.
Half-time ratings
And here are your half-time ratings…
De Gea
Penalty save even more crucial after the equaliser. 8
Dalot
Started well but faded. 6
Lindelof
Fine. 6
Maguire
One bad pass led to the penalty but a good pass led to the leveller. 6
Malacia
Teed up Garnacho to hit the crossbar. 6
Casemiro
Conceded the penalty but bustled about. 6
Fred
Got it wrong even when the ball fell right for Sancho. 4
Sancho
Decent half crowned by a goal. 7
Fernandes
Key pass for the goal. 6
Garnacho
Started slowly but went close twice. 6
Rashford
Not really at it. 5
Half-time
That’s the whistle for the break here.
Two minutes added
Almost half-time.
Ten Hag will be pleased
Ten Hag will be pleased with the positive response since conceding from the corner.
Fred with the assist
Proof there one can be so bad it is good. Fred fumbled his lines but the ball rolled into Sancho’s path and he could not miss. Sancho has been quite bright and, the way it’s going, he has to be the likely starter at Wembley if Antony is not deemed fit enough.
That save from De Gea is even more crucial now. If this is a send-off for him (it probably isn’t), then he’s already added gloss to the occasion.
Maguire did his bit
Decent build-up to that goal from Maguire and Fernandes, but there’s a huge stroke of luck when Fred tries to burst into the box. It’s not been his day so far but he’ll take that. Sancho, who has played well, couldn’t miss when the ball fell to him.
GOAL! 1-1 UNITED!
After sustained pressure, Sancho produces the equaliser with an excellent goal.
Fred with the assist and Sancho pokes it home within the box.
Vintage Fred display
Fred is having one of those games where anything he tries goes very wrong. There’s no issue with his application but when he gets the ball he’s rarely getting it right.
A few United subs have warmed up already. It would be remiss of Ten Hag not to take up the quota of five changes.
Goals elsewhere
It’s all happening on the final day of the Premier League season. The goals have been flying in and as things stand, Leicester are staying up, with Leeds and Everton going down.
Excellent from De Gea
This almost certainly isn’t De Gea’s last game at Old Trafford, but then again that would be some way to go out. It was an excellent penalty save and he was mobbed by his teammates after making it. More than you would usually expect with a corner to defend. United have been well on top since then. There was some patient attacking play that led to Garnacho hitting the bar and on the other flank Sancho is shining again.
The crowd have responded
The penalty has created an atmosphere. Rashford has just shot wide and Garnacho had a good opening there, albeit he had to hit it quickly on the turn. Then he went closer, hitting the crossbar by getting too much elevation on the side-footer. He’s suddenly become more involved higher up the pitch.
There was not a replay of it but Fulham’s penalty came about from a Maguire pass getting intercepted, though Casemiro still clumsily fouled Cairney
Two chances
Garnacho comes close to equalising twice, with his second effort smashing the bar.
Rare penalty save
That’s De Gea’s first penalty save at Old Trafford since he denied Leighton Baines in October 2014.
Huge roar for the save
Not a bad warm-up for a possible Cup final shootout from De Gea. It was not a well-placed penalty by Mitrovic but De Gea went the right way and turned the ball away. A big roar greeted that save, possibly as it’s such a rarity De Gea saves penalties.
Garnacho has not hit his stride yet and we’re around 25 minutes in. This has been a fabulous season but you could count on one hand how many times he has cut it as a starter.
PENALTY SAVED
De Gea saves Mitrovic’s penalty and what a moment this is for the Spaniard.
A superb stop from someone who doesn’t often save penalties.
Rashford lost his man
Willian has been another good addition by Fulham and that cross was on the money, provided a teammate got goal side. Tete had no problem doing that against Rashford, whose marking was that of a forward. A straightforward corner routine into the near post that was executed flawlessly.
CHANCE!
Rashford strikes the bar with a thunderous free-kick from around 30 yards – excellent effort.
Bright start here
It’s been a bright start from United, who have already got themselves in a few good positions.
Fernandes drifting wide
Fernandes is already taking positions on the wing – a possible rehearsal for a role there against City next week. Casemiro should have played the ball over the top for him there after Garnacho and Rashford opened up the space.
Fulham fans have some cheek chanting “You’re just a ground full of tourists” when Craven Cottage is a hive of touristic fans and casual followers.
United fans are now going through their repertoire of anti-Leeds songs following Tottenham’s goal.