De Gea keen to sign contract extension at United

Soccer Football – Pre Season Friendly – Manchester United v Liverpool – Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand – July 12, 2022 Manchester Unite’s David de Gea in action REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com

Register

July 23 (Reuters) – Goalkeeper David de Gea said he hopes to remain at Manchester United and help the Premier League club end their trophy drought after a “disaster” of a season.

De Gea’s contract expires in June 2023 and the Spaniard, who joined from Atletico Madrid in 2011, said he was open to signing an extension.

“If they let me stay I will stay, for sure. I’m really comfortable, happy, and hopefully before I leave we can win something more,” De Gea told reporters on Friday, adding that he had yet to open discussions about a renewal.

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com

Register

United endured a torrid campaign last season in which they failed to qualify for the Champions League after finishing sixth with 58 points – their lowest in the Premier League era.

The club also failed to win any silverware, extending their trophy drought to five years.

“We cannot do the same because it was a disaster,” De Gea said. “It was very tough, embarrassing sometimes.

“Some games were a mess. It was painful, unacceptable. Sometimes, you have to feel pain to go up and keep going.”

United play Aston Villa in a pre-season friendly in Perth later on Saturday before taking on Atletico Madrid in Norway on July 30.

They kick off their league campaign at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Aug. 7.

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com

Register

Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.