Erik ten Hag responds to question over David de Gea's role at Manchester United

Erik ten Hag highlighted David de Gea's clean sheet record in the Premier League amid mounting scrutiny over his role at Manchester United.

De Gea was culpable for all three of Sevilla's goals, particularly the third when he rushed out of his area and miscontrolled an aerial ball that was swept in by Youssef En-Nesyri.

United are in discussions with De Gea about a new contract that the 32-year-old is expected to sign. United have not triggered the one-year extension in De Gea's existing deal as it would result in a significant salary hike with the club likely to qualify for the Champions League.

Also read: Sevilla defeat shows Ten Hag has to get ruthless with five United players

Not for the first time this season, De Gea's shortcomings were exposed by Sevilla but the Spaniard has the most clean sheets in the league with 14 - one more than Newcastle 'keeper Nick Pope.

"He's the one with the most clean sheets in the Premier League, that shows he's a very capable goalkeeper," Ten Hag said when pressed on De Gea's position.

De Gea's £375,000 weekly salary was slashed by 25 per cent last year when United failed to qualify for the Champions League. United want to renegotiate a renewal for De Gea, who is not as in demand as he was when his last contracts were agreed in 2015 and 2019.

Despite their impressive clean-sheet tally, United have shipped 37 goals in the Premier League this term - more than 11th-placed Chelsea.

United's goalkeeping situation is compounded by the situation with the on-loan Dean Henderson, so bitter over his handling by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer he wanted to play against United this season.

Henderson, 26, has not featured for Nottingham Forest since January due to a groin tear and he is still