Manchester United interested in goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen

Manchester United are interested in Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen amid uncertainty over David de Gea's No.1 status beyond this season. Verbruggen, 20, was given his Anderlecht debut at the age of 18 by Vincent Kompany two years ago and has played 31 times for the Belgian club.

The Dutchman received his maiden call-up to the Netherlands squad last month and was on the bench for the European Championship qualifying win over Gibraltar.

United manager Erik ten Hag has favoured signings developed in the Netherlands, having bought Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord and Lisandro Martinez and Antony from Ajax. Christian Eriksen came through the Ajax academy and loanee Wout Weghorst is a Netherlands international.

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Although De Gea is expected to sign a new contract with United, figures at the club are planning to phase him out and he is not assured of his first-choice role next term.

United hired a goalkeeper recruitment analyst earlier this season as they have three 'keepers technically out of contract in the summer.

De Gea, 32, is approaching the end of his 12th season with United and he is top of the Premier League Golden Glove table for clean sheets on 15. However, the Spaniard has committed four errors that have directly led to goals this season - the joint-most of any Premier League goalkeeper.

De Gea was dropped from the Spain national side last year and he has not received a call-up since November 2021. New Spain coach Luis de la Fuente overlooked De Gea but recalled Kepa Arrizabalaga last month.

Former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had planned to install Dean Henderson as the outright No.1 for the 2021-22 season but Henderson contracted Covid-19