Should David de Gea return to the United team?

Should Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal pick David de Gea?

Spanish ‘keeper David de Gea is now in limbo at Manchester United, after his big money move to Real Madrid collapsed. Both sides are blaming each other for the collapse of the deal and neither are taking responsibility.

However, the collapse means that David de Gea is still a United player and is likely to be until next summer when his contract expires and he inevitably moves to Real Madrid as a free agent.

Quality

De Gea is no doubt one of the best ‘keepers in the world game. He has won United’s Player of the Year in consecutive seasons and was without doubt one of the Red Devils key players last season.

The Spaniard’s quality has been going to waste this season though, because his future at the club has been in doubt. It would be shame if his talent was wasted for the rest of the season.

Solid

Argentinian international ‘keeper Sergio Romero has been relatively solid this season since his unexpected rise to United number one. The former-Sampdoria stopper was expected to be a back-up to De Gea, prior to it looking like the Spaniard was leaving for Real.

Romero has produced four clean sheets this season for United, but was criticised for his display in the Red Devils recent 2-1 defeat against Swansea.

Romero has stated his desire to stay number one for United by telling Argentinian newspaper La Nacion: “Playing for United is a dream and if God helps me this dream will never end,”

“As I have been saying, I have to thank Van Gaal for trusting me. Although I had not done a pre-season, I started playing for the biggest club in the world.

“It’s important for a goalkeeper to have this support because there is no rotation between goalkeepers — a goalkeeper starts or he is benched. They are the only two choices – there is not a third one.”

Romero may have been relatively solid, but he is not seen as a long-term Manchester United number one. Fans have questioned his position as United number one and he has yet to fully convince of his quality at former clubs.

Difficult

United boss Louis van Gaal is now in the difficult position of whether or not to pick De Gea, after the Spaniard was left out the opening four Premier League games of the season. The Dutchman is notoriously stubborn and could stick to his guns and leave De Gea out.

However, it may work against the veteran boss if he continues to select Romero, as the former-Sampdoria has nowhere near the same quality as De Gea.

De Gea is also in the awkward position of having to stay at United, despite the fact he obviously wants a move back to the Spanish capital with Real.

To be fair De Gea has never came out in the press and stated that he wants to move away from Old Trafford. As far as I know I do not think he has handed in a transfer request neither.

By all accounts David de Gea is a very professional guy who will just get on with his job to the best of his ability if he is selected for United in the coming months. He does not seem to be the kind of guy who would sulk.

If De Gea is mentally right and able to play for United surely Van Gaal should pick him, as in the last few seasons he has saved the team a lot of points.

Waste

There seems no doubt that David de Gea will leave the Red Devils next summer, whatever happens this season. Wherever De Gea features or not it also seems inevitable that he will sign a lucrative contract with Real Madrid next summer.

If United are still paying his wages and he is still at the club I do not see why Van Gaal should not pick him. The Spaniard is unlikely to let anybody down and he will still be looking to put good performances in with Euro 2016 next summer.

United face bitter North West rivals Liverpool on Saturday, in a game they are odds of 10/11 to claim victory in. It remains to be seen if David de Gea will be in the team, or even the squad, but surely for their own sake Van Gaal has to bring the Spaniard back into the fold?

Should David de Gea return to the United team?