Former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera believes David de Gea will extend his contract with the Red Devils, despite criticism of the Spanish shot-stopper. Herrera, who still speaks to his old team-mate on a weekly basis, has hit back at those who have suggested that De Gea should be moved on quickly. The 32-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of next month, but he is expected to pen fresh terms imminently after accepting a significant pay cut and being informed that he will not be guaranteed to remain as the club’s number one.
In an interview with Manchester United’s official Scandinavian supporters club, Herrera said: ‘When you are one of the best in the world, when you have been in the Premier League Team of the Season – if I’m not wrong – five seasons, when you are considered the top one in the world for a moment of your career, you are going to be always criticised! We can see Lionel Messi in Paris, he’s under criticism. So imagine all the other players when we are not in our best moment, they are going to kill us!’
Herrera went on to praise De Gea’s reaction to mistakes, saying: ‘I like the way that he reacts after the mistakes. Always when he has a bad day, the next two or three games he makes the difference, and he makes some saves that gives you points.’ He also noted that De Gea has the record for clean sheets at the club, and expressed his confidence that he will give the team ‘still a lot of points and titles and wins for the club.’
When asked if he expects to see De Gea stay for a few more years, Herrera said: ‘I think [so]. I didn’t ask him if he’s going to sign a new contract, but I guess he’s going to do it. He cannot finish his time at Manchester United, even more so when he’s at a good age for a goalkeeper, when he has given the team victories in some moments of this season. So I have a lot of confidence in David. I speak with him almost every week, every month, and he’s not worried. He has so much confidence in himself and he’s going – I hope he’s going – to sign a new contract.’