Erik ten Hag makes David de Gea claim after Manchester United horror show

Erik ten Hag maintains David de Gea is capable of adapting into a ball-playing goalkeeper for Manchester United.

De Gea, 31, dropped a clanger for Josh Dasilva's opening goal in United's 4-0 thrashing by Brentford and did not anticipate Mathias Jensen pressing Christian Eriksen when he passed the ball to the Dane inside his own area.

Jensen robbed Eriksen of the ball and slotted past De Gea, whose 'keeping was criticised in United's opening weekend defeat to Brighton.

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De Gea is contracted to United until next year and the club has the option of an additional year. Nottingham Forest do not have the option to buy the on-loan Dean Henderson and there is a possibility United could move for a new long-term goalie next year.

"I am convinced that he can do it," Ten Hag said of De Gea's struggles to adapt. "And it's obvious the second goal, okay (he was at fault). He showed already I have seen in training and in the first games that he can do that."

United were expected to preside over a squad rebuild this summer but have only sold one player in Andreas Pereira - who last played for United in August 2020 - and made three new signings.

The lack of outgoings is almost as problematic as the lack of incomings in a squad short of proven quality in the first XI and on the bench.

"Yeah, but I don't want to talk about it," Ten Hag said of United's dismal market. "I think about today's performance, it was poor and I want to think about that and how we can sort it."

When asked if he felt United's form would put off targets, he added: "What I just said: I don't think about that. I think the best to get out of this team and this moment is not my concern."

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