Manchester United legend Gary Neville has suggested that the club should approach Brentford goalkeeper David Raya as a replacement for current Number one, David De Gea.
Gary Neville wants Raya at Old Trfford
Neville, who spent his entire 19-year career playing for Manchester United was speaking after the Red Devils claimed their first trophy in almost seven years by beating Newcastle in the EFL Cup final.
While he saluted Manchester United for their performance in the final, he also suggested ways in which the team could improve under manager Erik Ten Hag, and appeared unbothered about the Red Devils’ long-standing first-choice goalkeeper leaving in the summer.
He already identified a potential replacement for De Gea in Brentfor’s current number one, who he believes is ready to make the jump to a top club
Speaking on The Overlap podcast, “I went to watch Brentford a couple of weeks ago… I think he’s going to become available, he’s only got a year left. I think he could step up.
“I think Raya would interest United in the summer.”
Raya to replace De Gea at Manchester United after taking his national team spot
Despite Manchester United’s recent success under Ten Hag, many have still questioned whether De Gea will be the Dutchman’s preferred option between the sticks for the future especially as De Gea’s contract situation continues to drag out.
De Gea has come under criticism for his inability to play out of the back as he is not considered to be adept with his feet, but Raya is, and this is believed to be the reason why he was selected ahead of the Manchester United in the Spain squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
It will not be easy replacing De Gea however, and even Neville attests to this saying “it’s the single most difficult position in English football being the Manchester United goalkeeper. I genuinely believe that.
“I think the Manchester United goalkeeper comes under more scrutiny if they make a mistake than any other position in English football on the pitch.”
Raya's ability with his feet might be his biggest selling point, but he has also proven to be a capable shot-stopper, ranking fifth in the Premier League for expected goals prevented, while De Gea ranks 19th.
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