Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and Roy Keane debated David de Gea’s new Manchester United contract, with both questioning whether it was good business for the Red devils.
De Gea signed a new deal that will keep him at the club until 2023 – with the option of an additional year – and make him the world’s highest-paid goalkeeper with a weekly wage of between £350,000 and £375,000.
However, Mourinho believes that the Spain international, despite his talent, has been “a bit lucky”, while Keane had harsher words for the goalie who he thinks is making “too many mistakes”.
Speaking ahead of United’s trip to West Ham, Mourinho said: “The moment where he signed his huge contract is a moment where I don’t think United needs to pay as much as that to have him.
“One or two years ago he had the world after him and, in this moment, where he has signed his incredible contract, I think the majority of the big doors are closed.
“Real Madrid’s door is closed – they don’t need to sign a goalkeeper after Thibaut Courtois. Barcelona’s door is closed because of the young and fantastic Marc-Andre ter Stegen. PSG is closed – they’ve just signed Keylor Navas, who is a very good goalkeeper. I don’t see United under pressure because De Gea is going to disappear. Who is going to pay him these numbers?
“He gets a phenomenal contract in a moment where he is a bit lucky to get it. Is he good? Yes, he’s very good. If I say Victor Lindelof is good at some aspects of the game and not others, I could say the same about De Gea. He is much better on the line than he is coming off his line. However, in goal, his agility, his technical level is second to none.”
Asked if he thought David De Gea was worth the investment, Keane said: “I’m not so sure. Goalkeepers can make mistakes but I’ve always worried about him.
“Every time I’ve watched him it’s the character side of the game. He never seems to be commanding. I never get the impression he’s the type of character that puts demands on people around him.
“The big test for goalkeepers, especially at Manchester United is how you react after a mistake, and he’s making far too many mistakes.
“I’ve just never been convinced on the character side of him. Technically, is he a good goalkeeper? Of course, he is. There’s no getting away from that but I think it’s more about the package. I’ve always had questions marks over him.”
