Manchester United and Erik ten Hag face pivotal David de Gea transfer question

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea passed the landmark of 400 Premier League appearances in the weekend win over Leeds United.

Having joined from Atletico Madrid in 2011, the Spaniard has won a Premier League title and was United’s Player of the Year four times in five years from 2014-18. He remains first choice more than a decade since his arrival and looks likely to sign a new deal with his current contract expiring in the summer.

The Premier League and the game in general has evolved since De Gea arrived on these shores 12 years ago and there are still some questions the keeper must answer. But he's retained his place under Erik ten Hag and is established as the club's number one. We take a look at where things stand with the keeper on and off the pitch.

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Shot-stopping

De Gea is a world class shot stopper and there are countless examples from his Old Trafford career where he's earned United valuable points. He did suffer a slump in form following the 2018 World Cup, which arguably cost United a Champions League place in the 2018/19 season, but his form recovered and he's been United’s undisputed number one for the past two seasons.

So far this term he's kept nine clean sheets, the second most in the league, and has made world class saves to deny Joe Aribo (Southampton), James Maddison (Leicester) and Declan Rice (West Ham), ensuring United secured 1-0 wins in all these games.

Distribution

Ten Hag likes his team to play out from the back, which means the goalkeeper needs to be comfortable in possession, or it leaves United susceptible to a high-pressing team. De Gea has improved over the season with the ball at his feet,