Roy Keane has again criticized Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea and has ordered his former club to move the Spaniard in the summer as a matter of urgency.
De Gea was awarded the Premier League’s “Golden Glove” award at Old Trafford on Sunday for the cleanest sheet of the season as United finished third overall.
The 32-year-old managed to keep opposing sides in 17 separate games during United’s domestic campaign, three better than Liverpool’s second-placed goalscorer Alisson.
However, this failed to convince Keane that De Gea should be trusted as part of Erik ten Hag’s revolution at the club, and he believes the two sides should cut ties, despite ongoing negotiations over a new deal.
“Manchester United have had to improve their defense since last year because they were so bad,” Keane told Sky Sports.
“They (United players) are all slapping De Gea on the back… I would move him quickly. He wouldn’t be for me, he won’t bring Manchester United back to winning trophies, absolutely not.
“The idea of players patting him on the back is absurd, it’s his job,” he added.
Ten Hag is eager to try to tie the long-time United goalkeeper to a new contract and has recently revealed he is confident the deal will go through.
But Keane and other United fans were unimpressed by the Red Devils’ number one, who made a series of costly mistakes during the season.
The 13-time Premier League champions will return to compete in the Champions League next season and Keane believes a new goalkeeper is needed.
The Irishman does not believe De Gea would be happy to play second fiddle at the club he joined as a youngster in 2011 and has insisted he has no interest in the personal distinction he won during that time at the club.
Keane continued, “No, you wouldn’t keep him as No. 2. He wouldn’t want that, he wouldn’t stay because of that.
“He’s doing fine, he’s won several Player of the Year awards – but what’s the big deal? It’s about what the team achieves.
“I think he’s made too many mistakes over the years. A few years ago he tried to leave the club and go to Real Madrid.
De Gea will almost certainly start the Manchester United FA Cup final against Manchester City on Saturday June 3 at Wembley.
