Erik ten Hag backs David de Gea despite latest Manchester United error

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Erik ten Hag has claimed Manchester United still want to extend David de Gea's contract despite his latest howler. De Gea allowed Said Benrahma's underhit shot to trickle through his palms for West Ham's winner in United's second successive 1-0 away defeat.

United have been in discussions with De Gea about a new contract for the best part of a year, with the 32-year-old's existing deal due to expire in June. Read more: Fernandes sends message to David de Gea after United blunder The club have not triggered the one-year extension in De Gea's contract as it would mean his salary rises to £375,000-a-week if United qualify for the Champions League.

United want to negotiate a salary reduction. De Gea was culpable for all three of Sevilla's goals in United's Europa League ejection last month and his errors have directly led to four goals this season. "He has the most clean sheets in the Premier League," Ten Hag reiterated. "So we would not be in this position without him. "So he has fully my belief, no concerns, that happens but as a team you have to deal with it, you have to show character, be resilient and bounce back and this team will do." When asked if De Gea would be his No.1 for the long-term, Ten Hag replied: "We want him to stay and we want him to extend his contract." United performed positively prior to Benrahma's 27th-minute winner but Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, Marcus Rashford and Antony failed to hit the target from inviting angles.

With more than 70 minutes gone, the recalled Wout Weghorst was the only United player who had attempted a clean shot on target. "Yes, I've seen it in the same way," Ten Hag noted, referring to the 1-0 loss at Brighton three days earlier. "I think we started well, we