David de Gea World Cup hopes in tatters as boss hints at reasons for Man Utd star’s omission

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea may struggle to get back into the Spain side after manager Luis Enrique hinted why he is not with the current squad.

De Gea, 31, has been capped 45 times by La Roja since making his debut in 2014. But he last featured for the national side back in 2020, with others now preferred. The former Atletico Madrid ace enjoyed a superb season for United despite an underwhelming campaign by the Red Devils.

However, he was left out of Spain’s Nations League squad for the ongoing internationals. Athletic Bilbao keeper Unai Simon is the current man between the sticks, with Brentford’s David Raya and Brighton’s Robert Sanchez as back-up.

De Gea was also omitted from the squad in March and Enrique appears content with what he has at his disposal. And the former Barcelona and Real Madrid forward gave his reasons for preferring the trio.

“I look to have three starting goalkeepers and I think that right now I have them,” he told reporters. “Honestly. I wouldn’t have an issue with any of the three of them starting.

“Unai has accumulated some interesting experience. A goalkeeper should start the play and generate the first superiority, they must dominate the aerial play.

“I need a goalkeeper that transmits peace and calmness to me – and that doesn’t mean they won’t make mistakes, errors are part of football. But what they generate I like a lot.”

Manchester United managed to finish in sixth spot in the Premier League table in 2021-2022. They won only 16 games during a dismal campaign by their previous high standards.

De Gea was a busy man, conceding 57 top-flight goals. But it would have been considerably more but for his prowess between the posts.

He admitted to MUTV of being ‘proud’ of his displays