Manchester United are giving David de Gea a new contract for the wrong reasons

David de Gea is not the biggest problem at Manchester United but he is a growing problem. His shortcomings - distribution, timidity at set-pieces and sweeping - were all exposed by Sevilla.

De Gea's attempt at playing sweeper 'keeper allowed Youssef En-Nesyri to sweep in Sevilla's third goal. For a 'keeper often accused of being rooted to his line, De Gea has stood still.

All Erik ten Hag could muster were 19 words in his defence of De Gea in his post-match press conference when asked about his performance and future at the club.

"He's the one with the most clean sheets in the Premier League, that shows he's a very capable goalkeeper."

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

De Gea is capable of repelling the ball and he remains one of the best at that. But at 32, he is a shattered vertebra in the United spine.

The club's chief communications officer was in Seville. The United communications department may think twice about announcing De Gea's contract renewal as the good news story to counter the bad news of their surrender in Seville.

An agreement is inevitable for a 'keeper who is no longer in demand. That in itself is telling. That United are drafting up paperwork for De Gea's new terms is in keeping with the complacency of the Ed Woodward era. One to massage the assets sheet, never mind that the asset is a weak link.

United have not triggered the one-year extension in De Gea's contract as he would secure a salary hike once they have qualified for the Champions League. That is the irony of these negotiations; United acknowledge De Gea's value has dwindled.

It is also more penny-pinching, typical of a club owned by the Glazer family. A better-run club with owners