Penalty Ignorance, But United Remain Top

As Manchester United travelled to Stoke for their sixth game of the Premier League season, spirits were high. On the back of a 3 - 1 victory over Chelsea and a 3 - 0 thrashing of rivals Leeds in mid-week, United would have felt confident of taking home three valuable, table-topping points against a tough Stoke City team, even without the vital Wayne Rooney in the side due to a hamstring strain.

However, a Crouch header and two ignored blatant penalty claims meant that Sir Alex Ferguson had to settle for just the one point at the Britannia, leaving Manchester United's impressive 100% record this season to drift sorrowfully into the distance. We mourn its passing.

It was an inevitability, and was always a possibility at Stoke considering their record against the big sides at home. A fierce home crowd and extraordinary physicality of the players who get incredibly tight to the opposition, efficiently snuffing out any danger, helped Stoke to restrict United from playing free-flowing football on the floor and creating chances.

Nani's opening goal came from some very patient play on the right hand side for United, passing it well under little pressure when suddenly a burst of pace and quick thinking from Darren Fletcher and the Portuguese winger created some space to smash the ball home. It was the 24 year old's third League goal of a very promising season for him, bringing his goal tally up to 5 in all competitions.

If a penalty had been given as it surely should have been in the third minute when Hernandez was brought down by Woodgate from behind in a one-on-one with Begovic, United would have probably been two goals ahead when Nani struck in the 27th minute. The referee, Peter Walton was not feeling in a generous mood however, and didn't feel that a foul which caused the Mexican striker to limp off with an injury inside the box was a penalty.

Immediately after the United goal, Stoke's Andy Wilkinson did all Manchester United fans and David de Gea defenders a favour by forcing a stunning save from the young Spanish goalkeeper. We had been led to believe that Sir Alex Ferguson had attempted to beef up his goalkeeper throughout the week to prepare him for the physical game, but despite de Gea still resembling a skinny 12 year-old with a suspect beard, he showed every bit of quality with a great reaction save, preventing the shot from tearing the top corner of the net.

Another save was squeezed out of de Gea before half time, as he dived across his goal to push away a Jonathon Walters shot which looked destined for the far corner. But 7 minutes into the second half, United's goalkeeper had been beaten, and his clean sheet disappeared. Etherington's curling cross found Crouch, who had, in turn, lost Phil Jones to head the ball powerfully beyond de Gea, much to the delight of the Stoke fans.

Another Crouch chance straight after the goal was blazed hilariously over, before the official's added to the comedy by denying United another penalty when an Evra shot hit Ryan Shawcross' raised arm in the box.

All in all, while United may feel aggrieved about the penalty decisions which did not go their way, the Stoke chances which were missed could have so easily struck the back of the net. There were a few bum-clenching moments for United fans, so a point will not be badly received at Old Trafford, despite the rare occasion in which Manchester United have been restricted to only the one goal this season.

It wasn't a game in which many players stood out as performing brilliantly, but Sir Alex put this down to the unsettling news of injuries creeping into his players minds and the teams performances. He said:

"In terms of the attacking part we showed some good play and maybe should have scored more. We've always done well here, but all the changes we had to make today [with injuries to Evans, Hernandez and Rooney] maybe just unsettled us a bit for parts of the game."

It is one draw among five other incredibly impressive wins. It's nothing to worry about.

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Rooney Has Faith In De Gea

When Wayne Rooney loses possession of a football, he doesn't stand like many other strikers would, sweat dripping, eyes to the sky, and hands dejectedly placed on hips.

Since we all first saw him on a football field playing for Everton as an enthusiastic teenager, he chases his opponent fiercely to win back the ball, and build another attack for his team.

However, if he doesn't have the pace to make amends for losing the ball, fortunately for Manchester United, he has every faith in the clubs recently signed Spanish goalkeeper, David De Gea, in stopping that ball from bulging the net.

After a few shaky performances, the critics were naturally out and screaming for the young Spaniard's head. Only two games into his competitive career with Manchester United and there were serious suggestions that the 20 year-old simply wasn't good enough to replace the retired Edwin van der Sar.

As a player who has experienced one or two rough patches in his so far illustrious career, Wayne Rooney can easily empathise with his team mate over the quick to judge fans and media, and the English striker is in no doubt that David de Gea will come good as a Manchester United number one. Rooney said ahead of England'd Euro 1014 qualifier against Bulgaria on Friday:

"David is obviously a good shot-stopper. I hadn’t seen much of him before he signed, but that was something I saw immediately. Also his passing out from the back is alongside Edwin’s. He rarely kicks long to a forward."

"He is still young and has probably got a lot to learn, but he is working hard and doing well in training."

As a team mate of de Gea's, Rooney is in a far better position to assess the goalkeepers start to his career in England. In the dressing room and in training for example, the United players can witness how other players recover mentally from mistakes. De Gea seems to be impressing:

"He is a strong character. After the Manchester City game, and then West Brom, he didn’t seem to be affected."

"He was on the training pitch the next day, working hard. The last couple of games he’s done well for us and he will only get better the more he plays."

Sir Alex Ferguson's young squad has had a magnificent start to the season, and as the manager knows, a strong goalkeeper as the rock of the team is vital for future success. We can all see that this Manchester United team has the potential to be something special, but they all need to perform together to fulfil that massive expectation.

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Arsenal Collapse - United Punish

When Arsene Wenger sat in the Arsenal bus on the way to Old Trafford today, he couldn't have expected much from the group of players he had sitting behind him. There they were, headphones on, training kits ready, the Arsenal badge placed firmly on their chest. Little did they know the footballing misery that was to befall them in the Theatre of Dreams.

"I believe we'll be up for it and have the quality," said the Frenchman as he stood before Geoff Shreeves. Remarkably oblivious, or simply blinded by optimism? In truth, no one will have expected such a rout from Manchester United which Arsenal became victims of - eight goals to two? Stunning.

I've said it before, and will say it again; at the moment, the two clubs are the complete antithesis of each other. In quality, in depth, in direction, in experience, in know-how, in common sense, in understanding of the game, today, they were miles apart. Yes, Arsenal had a weakened side, but conceding eight goals is incredible, and to concede eight goals when you are expected to be challenging for trophies is quite unbelievable.

Wenger cut a lonely figure on the away team bench, and as Theo Walcott and Robin Van Persie came off the join the substitutions, none of them could muster the tenacity to look each other in the eye. The Arsenal team were humiliated and embarrassed by some awful defending, amateur mistakes and a huge lack of Arsene Wenger's favourite two things; "spirit" and "belief."

Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson on the other hand, were full of confidence on the back of two successive Premier League victories, and had no room for sympathy. It was a day in which their biggest rivals in City had won at Spurs, scoring an impressive five goals, and United aren't ones for being second best, especially against the blue side of their City, so winning against Arsenal was the only option.

Indeed, after winning convincingly against Tottenham on Monday, United were favourites for this game, and from the off, there didn't seem to be any doubt that this would be a game to remember for this young United side.

There were some fantastic individual performances in the United team, but it was the way that they played together which was so impressive, especially considering the expectation on their young shoulders - and yes, there was expectation. As favourites to win the big match throughout the weeks build-up, it would have been easy for the players to become complacent, and take a win for granted in front of the home crowd.

From the defence, through to the midfield and up to the two young and exceptionally talented pair of Englishmen in attack, the team was confident, assured, lucid and ready for the challenge before them. Admittedly, it didn't turn out to be too big of a challenge but it is a sign of a strong footballing side, when the players can punish the opposition whatever level they play at just like they did against the Gunners.

The Welbeck opener spelled disaster for Arsenal, as a cheeky chip from Anderson flew over the defence, and left Johan Djourou in no man's land for Welbeck to show his strength and nod the ball passed the unfortunate Sczcesny.

The Polish goalkeeper had very little defence throughout the game, with the four at the back getting drawn to the ball instead of staying with their markers too many times. Against United, you simply cannot do that.

Rooney grabbed a hat-trick, and in doing so, his 150th, 151st and 152nd goals for Manchester United, as he comes closer to cementing his place among the United legends. Ashley Young grabbed a sublime double, Nani, who was quite frustrating throughout as he complicated simple moves with often unsuccessful shows of needless extravagance, finished with a cool chip into the net, while Park came on for the Portuguese winger to score his customary goal against the Gunners.

David de Gea's penalty save while United were one goal ahead was crucial for both his confidence in himself and the fans' confidence in him, as well as for the route to victory in the game, however, he needs to better with shots like Theo Walcott's which from a tight angle, crept beneath his legs. He is improving every game, and soon the creases will be ironed out for this young talent, much like the whole United side.

While the goals were extremely well worked, creative and scored and created by some marvellous talents, Arsenal didn't pose a great challenge, and United will have to keep improving to beat the best. It just so happens that they have the best manager in the world to guide them in that fruitful, trophy winning direction.

As for Arsenal, like I've said before, Wenger's need for spirit and belief simply is not enough to realistically compete when they have a severe lack of quality players in their squad depth. It is a ferociously rocky period, and pressure is rising dramatically, but with a few signings, players back from injuries and suspensions, a manager given full support and confidence, Arsenal could be back to winning ways soon. The pivotal word in that sentence being "could." Nothing is guaranteed.

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"Only a matter of time" For David De Gea

Manchester United's new goalkeeper hasn't had the greatest of starts to his career on the field in a United jersey, but according to Chris Smalling, United's impressive young defender, it is only a matter until the whole world sees how good the Spanish 'keeper really is.

The 20 year-old former Athletico Madrid shot stopper has been impressive in training, showing excellent agility and kicking skills, with Smalling holding the popular belief among Manchester United fans in defence of De Gea, that his start with the club is a natural learning curve for a young, foreign player. Smalling told the Manchester United officla website:

"He has been training really well. We have played a few small-sided games this week and you could see his agility and his kicking ability. He is showing his quality in training and it is only a matter of time until the whole world sees it too."

"It’s all a learning curve and I think a lot of the foreign lads take time to get used to it."I think he’s settling in really well."

"A lot of the lads speak Spanish anyway but he is learning English, it's coming along, and that will help him. He is getting into the groove and I’m sure there are good things to come from him."

They are encouraging words for United fans who have witnessed shaky performances from the goalkeeper in both the Community Shield, and the Premier League opener against West Brom in which De Gea was highly criticized for two sloppy mistakes.

Many claimed the criticism was unfair, and a lot of it was, as it did nothing for his confidence between the sticks, especially with the pressures of proving his £18.5 million transfer fee.

On Monday De Gea will have another chance to prove himself, this time in front of the Old Trafford crowd who will no doubt be 100% behind him, as United take on Tottenham. United were unbeaten at home last season as they clinched a 19th Premier League title, and the team will be hoping that unbeaten record at home can be upheld this year too, starting with a victory of Spurs.

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In Defence of David de Gea

David de Gea may not understand much English, but when he awoke on Monday morning, he would have known why he was the talking point on the back page of most English newspapers.

Manchester United fans will be hoping that their new young goalkeeper did not bother looking at the extremely radical, over the top reactions that were plastered in several papers, because they will have done nothing for his currently fragile confidence.

De Gea knows well enough that his mistake against West Brom which allowed a weak Shane Long shot to crawl underneath his flailing arms, was not acceptable for a Manchester United goalkeeper. However, he will also understand that one mild mistake in only his first competitive game in a completely new country, where he knows little about the language nor the culture, does not mean that he is a "flop," like some have already irrationally labelled him.

Of course, Manchester United fans will have been expecting a lot more from an £18.5 million signing, but those impatient and narrow minded enough to think that Sir Alex Ferguson and his back room staff didn't expect any mistakes in his first year in England will have to rethink their odd logic.

Those fans calling for De Gea's sale or release, one competitive game into his short Manchester United career are probably the same people who labelled Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic flops in their first season in England. Just a quick look at some Manchester United fans reactions to the signing of Vidic back in 2006 shows that some "expert fans" painfully called the Serbian a "waste of money" and "overrated." Five years later, he is a regular in the teams of the year, playing his part in a solid back line for United.

In fact, it's interesting to read about Vidic's struggles when he first started with United. "It was very hard for me," he said, and coming from a completely different country, speaking a different language, "it was difficult for me to communicate." Vidic continued:

"I was... trying to acclimatise to a different style of football and culture. Everything was thrown at me at once. And on top of that I was very aware that the fans were asking, 'Who is this player?' I was unknown and people wanted to see what they were getting for £7m. I was very aware I was under the spotlight."

One can imagine a parallel situation with David de Gea. His large transfer fee means he is the second most expensive goalkeeper in the history of football, and he has a big job in trying to prove his worth because of it. People will, and already have begun to question his ability, like people did with Vidic, but everyone must understand that it takes longer for some footballers to become comfortable with their surroundings than others.

Sir Alex Ferguson said after De Gea's mistake at West Brom that it was almost like a "welcome to English football." It is also a harsh welcome to the English media, who judge harshly immediately, as well as many of the English public who enjoy raising impossible expectations, and follow the media's lead in attempting to crush careers with an overbearing eye for anything not perfection. Just look at the English national team.

Patience is so important in such a young person, with such a large amount of potential. I'm not saying he should be immune from criticism, but fans and pundits need to be patient. Sir Alex knows David de Gea has quality so let's just take a step back, put everything into perspective, and give him a chance.

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West Brom 1 - 2 Manchester United

It wasn't a perfect start, but it was a win that means Manchester United grabbed all three points against West Brom to move into second place behind Bolton Wanderers in their first game of the new season.

Rooney's early goal for United was slick and clever. He began the move with a improvised flick, and finished it with a wholly intended, precise strike of his left foot, opening his account early in the season - a perfect time for any striker.

United controlled, as attacking players such as Nani and Young looked to cause probems down the wings as well as inside, but neither had the delivery as yet to add to the one goal already achieved.

Whilst one new signing in Ashley Young looked bright, the same could not be said for £18.5 million signing, David De Gea, in the United goal. His talents will unfortunately be called into question after another suspect performance in the net, off the back of the long range conceded goal from Edin Dzeko against City in the Community Shield.

As West Brom's new recruit from Reading, Shane Long cut inside the United area, he hit a hopeful shot from a tight angle. There was little pace in the strike, and the United defenders half turned away, with the expectation that De Gea would wrap his hands around the ball with ease.

This was not the case however, and the ball squirmed underneath his arms, as the 20 year-old failed to get down quickly enough, prompting Long and the rest of Roy Hodgson's team to wheel away in delight at their unexpected equaliser.

The goal, at 37 minutes, gave the home side a lot of confidence, and were able to get forward with more bite than before, to attempt to snatch a second goal.

Their large midfielder Somen Tchoyi used his power a number of times to hold the ball up in attacks, and got the better of the considerably smaller Fabio throughout the game, but to no avail. He came close with a swerving cross just before half time which caught De Gea slightly off guard, as he quickly corrected himself with a backwards dive to prevent another embarrassing effort fly into the top corner.

As the first half ended, all eyes were on a disappointed De Gea as he spat into his gloves and walked down the tunnel with his head down. It hadn't been the best half for him, and he will have felt responsible for the scoreline in the away dressing room during the break.

The second half saw both of Manchester United's centre half's substituted because of injuries, as Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand limped off, Ferdinand with a hamstring injury. However, with United's new recruit Phil Jones, and young defender Jonny Evans, Sir Alex has no shortage of defensive options to come on and defend strongly.

Ashley Young's contribution in the game was topped off late on with a run down the left, in which a low shot come cross deflected twice to bounce awkwardly and luckily past former United keeper Ben Foster and into the net. It was the goal that proved to be the winner.

There are a lot of positive to come out of the game for United. One being the impressive performance from Ashley Young, who was awarded the man of the match award and another being the young central midfielder Tom Cleverley putting in a solid, assured shift.

Those positives may be overlooked by the De Gea display, but make no mistakes - a win, away from home, however lucky the winner may have been is a win.

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Manchester United Players Wages - How Much Is Saved

Transfer fees have often grabbed the headlines in recent years, with records being broken along with peoples jaws when they hear about the massive amounts of money spent by clubs eager for top class additions. However, the players wages have also become of interest to many football fans, with some eager to compare to certain other professions seen as more productive, while others are simply interested to find out how much their favourite player is earning.

Manchester United have been busy this transfer market, with incoming and outgoing players, all of whom command a certain wage, so out of interest, I did a bit of research. I wanted to find out how much Manchester United will be saving a week from the sales of players like Wes Brown and John O'Shea to Sunderland as well as the retirement of Edwin van der Sar, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville and the release of Owen Hargreaves.

Firstly may I start my saying that these are all reported figures in the media of how much the individual players are earning/will earn per week. The outgoing players:

Edwin van der Sar; £90,000 a week

Wes Brown; £50,000 a week

John O'Shea; £50,000 a week

Owen Hargreaves; £75,000 a week

Paul Scholes; £60,000 a week

Gary Neville £60,000 a week

Possibly Darron Gibson on £40,000 a week

TOTAL: £385,000 a week (or including the departure of Gibson to Sunderland, £425,000 a week)

Now onto the arrivals at Manchester United so far, which have included Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David de Gea who cost United just under £50 million in transfer costs.

David de Gea; £70,000 a week

Phil Jones; £50,000 a week

Ashley Young; £100,000 a week

TOTAL: £220,000 a week

Now if you subtract the amount of wages paid to the new players from the amount United will probably save from the outgoing players, Manchester United will be saving £165,000 a week or £205,000 a week if Darron Gibson departs. 

This leaves quite a large amount for Manchester United to work with in their search to replace Paul Scholes. Wesley Sneijder is apparently after around £200,000 a week, which is quite excessive, even for football, while United's other main target, Arsenal's Samir Nasri is reportedly asking for just over £100,000. Through these savings mentioned, United could afford either players wages easily.

What do you think? Should Manchester United opt for the cheaper and possibly easier option in going all out to sign Samir Nasri from Arsenal, or should they attempt to strike a mega money deal with Inter to bring Wesley Sneijder to Old Trafford? According to reports, Manchester United have bid for Arsenal's Nasri, but Wenger's club are holding out for £25 million rather than the £20 million offered.

Any corrections to the wages mentioned would be welcomed - the ones here are only an estimation from varying reports.

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VOTE: Who Should Man United Buy For Central Midfield?

Who Should Manchester United Buy for Central Midfield?

Manchester United have already been busy in the transfer market this summer, with Phil Jones having signed and Ashley Young and David de Gea expected to follow very soon. However, there remains a position that needs to be filled; the central midfield. With Paul Scholes deciding to retire, and Manchester United selling Darron Gibson to Sunderland for £5 million, the central role (mainly Scholes's position) has been left miserably vacant.

Who do you think Manchester United should sign to fill that gap and add the quality needed to help Manchester United to success at both domestic level and European level? The main names who have been linked with United have been listed, including Tottenham's Luka Modric, Arsenal's Samir Nasri, Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder, Roma's Daniele De Rossi, and Bayern Munich's Bastien Schweinsteiger. Who, realistically, would you like to see in the Manchester United side?

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Video: Pato Rodriguez - Manchester United's Latest Signing?

(The Latest New Of a Pato Rodriguez Transfer Is Here 14/06/11)

Manchester United have already been busy in the transfer market, with Sir Alex Ferguson given substantial transfer funds to improve the title winning squad. With the Phil Jones deal almost done and David de Gea soon to follow as well as Ashley Young coming from Aston Villa, the team already has a few top names, but there are more to come, starting with a young Argentinian talent, Pato Rodriguez.

The 21 year-old is an attacking midfielder with bundles of pace and a stunning ability with the ball at his feet that could easily be compared to the worlds best. He currently plays for the Argentinian football club, Independiente, and has caught the eye of the Manchester United manager with his wonderful skills with the football.

United are currently negotiating a deal with the club and player, finalising certain aspects of it, with a deal expected to be agreed very soon, however, a work permit may be a problem United could encounter in bringing him to England. A fee of £9.7 million has been quoted, which could prove a fantastic coup for United, who have been looking for some more creativity and flare in the midfield to rival that of Barcelona's.

Below is just a taster of what Manchester United fans might expect if the player were to receive that all important work permit to allow him to grace Old Trafford next season.

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£58m Fabregas - Aguero No Go - De Gea Deal Done

Yes, your suspicions from the headline are true - another summer, and more rumours concerning the Arsenal captains future. Will he stay, will he go? Well the answer to that is almost impossible to know, with pretty much the same rumours being thrown about - namely, the one that Barcelona will return in an attempt to persuade the Spaniard away from Arsenal.

This time, Manchester City are involved, just like they are with every other possible player they can be, with Mancini reported to be ready to offer an unbelievable £58 million, according to The People. Of course any deal would need the support of the Abu Dhabi group which owns the club, and apparently, Mancini has that backing for this particular move.

With City's money, absolutely any player can be linked to them at any price and be a believable rumour, so this rumour - although potentially rubbish is, with City's audacity and money is certainly believable - though I cannot see Fabregas wanting to go to City. 


He wants to play football, and preferably at Barcelona. That dream of his has however been stalled for a while by Arsenal, and now Barcelona are the ones stalling, with the Barcelona director of football saying of the proposed Fabregas deal:

"Right now, everything is dead regarding a transfer."

That certainly will please Arsenal fans, who no doubt would despise seeing their captain leave the club, especially to the side who have been a massive pain for the past few summers.

Moving on to Sergio Aguero, and only yesterday, I said on the blog that he had announced his desire to leave Athletico Madrid. The situation however was made slightly awkward when his club said today that he would be going nowhere, with Madrid ready to force the Argentinian to honour his contract:

"We are not going to change our thinking. We will not sell or trade for Aguero. If anyone wants to know something new, ask him directly."

"There is no getting around it. El Kun has a signed contract. He has shown his desire to leave, but we say the same thing. We do not want to sell. We respect his decision, but he also has to respect ours. He has a commitment to us."

"In his recent statements I heard him say he had no intention of leaving. I do not know how we will address this issue, but this is not the end of the world.''

And as Athletico fight to keep hold of one star, they have conceded defeat on another, David de Gea. Manchester United will apparently announce the signing of him on Monday - two days after the Champions League final. 

Guillem Balague said that a deal between the clubs was struck two months ago, but now De Gea has finally agreed to a deal - initially reluctant to leave his home club. Sir Alex Ferguson said at Gary Neville's testimonial match:

"We’ve been working on it for quite a while. We identified him quite a while back as one we should go for." 

"He’s a young goalkeeper, very quick, good composure, presence and an oustanding replacement for van der Sar." 

We were looking for someone with the same types of qualities. One great quality Edwin always had was his composure and organisational ability. David De Gea is very similar that way.”

£18.3 million has apparently sealed the deal for United, who have now replaced Edwin van der Sar, how successfully is another matter, and will be found out next season. He has though, a tough job in replacing the big Dutchman who is universally popular at Old Trafford.

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Latest on Stekelenburg

Maarten Stekelenburg is just one of many goalkeepers who have been linked to Manchester United and Arsenal this season, with Ferguson still looking for his Edwin van der sar replacement, and Wenger apparently keen to find a strong, solid, experienced 'keeper for Arsenal. Ron Jansen, the Ajax player' agent however confirmed that there have been no bids for his client. 

"There's nothing going on at the moment. 

"There hasn't been any contact with Italian teams or with other foreign teams. With no team at all. Whether he prefers to move to a foreign league? I can't confirm anything at the moment."

"There's still the possibility that he'll sign a contract extension with Ajax, too."

David De Gea is still a possibility for United, though a transfer fee for the young Atheltico prospect would be significantly larger than that of Stekelenburg, which is perhaps why Arsenal are linked so prominently with the 28 year-old.

It seems far more likely that Stekelenburg will leave for Arsenal than to United, as the player has already effectively admitted that if Arsenal make a move, he will leave Ajax for them:

"If Arsenal make an offer, I will leave Holland."

Much depends on Arsene Wenger's eagerness to pay money for a new goalkeeper, and with various other sides such as Juventus circling Stekelenburg, there will be fierce competition come the summer. If the Dutchman dies decide to leave for Arsenal, it leaves United still hunting for a goalkeeper. Manuel Neuer is off the list, with him apparently adamant about joining Bayern Munich, while David De Gea is still very much undecided about his future, as he is reluctant to leave his boyhood club as he is settled nicely in Madrid.

De Gea has been told to "renew or leave" Athletico, and, as was reported on DBSFootball in April, United's back-up plan to De Gea is the Sporting Lisbon 23 year-old goalkeeper, Rui Patricio who has been watched by United's goalkeeping coach, Eric Steele.

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New Deal for David De Gea

He looks like Manchester United's top goalkeeping target now that Manuel Neur has completely ruled out a move to Old Trafford, but David De Gea was never going to be an easy signing for Sir Alex Ferguson. The Spanish goalkeeper had been given an ultimatum by his boyhood side - renew your contract or leave Athletico, and that new contract renewal has now been firmly set on the negotiating table for De Gea to consider.

The Athletico Madrid President Enrique Cerezo said:

"De Gea is a magnificent player in the squad and has two years left on his contract. We [have] made a renewal offer." 

"But it does not depend on us. We will speak to him at the end of term and see what happens."

He seems an ideal replacement for United's retiring Edwin van der Sar, and at only 20 years-old, he can potentially be United's number one goalkeeper for the nest 15 - 20 years if he follows in his predecessors' footsteps. He will cost around £20 million due to his quality and age, but van der Sar has proved that having a decent, solid goalkeeper is vital in winning trophies - Arsenal have also managed to prove that fact over the last 6 years with the lack of a top 'keeper.

Manchester United have already brought in a new goalkeeper, in Anders Lindegaard who I was looking at yesterday. He is a very impressive shot-stopper and is brave in coming out for the ball and challenging the attacker. Whether he is number 1 Manchester United material is yet to be seen, but it is the general consensus that he will be a supporting act to a new goalkeeper that United will buy in the summer.

Follow Me on Twitter @RealDan7 or @DBSFootball

DBSFootball in association with: http://www.watch-football.tv/football/ - Live Football Streaming.

De Gea to "Renew or Leave" As United Scout Patricio

David de Gea, targeted by Manchester United to replace Edwin van der sar, and current Athletico Madrid number one has been told by his club that he will have two choices at the end of the season: to renew his Athletico contract, or leave for United.

The 20 year-old Spanish goalkeeper had met with Athletico club officials twice now to discuss his future, but no deal has been agreed, and with 3 years left on his deal, the Spanish club are getting agitated. The Madrid Chief Executive Angel Gil Marin said:

"We have met with him to negotiate a new deal on two occasions." 

"He has a contract with Atletico for three more seasons, so it is necessary to renew it and reasonable to revise his salary, which is well below his current performance. 

"But at the end of the season there will be two choices - to renew or to leave."

The Sky Sports journalist and compatriot of De Gea's, Guillem Balague has spoken about the decision being in De Gea's hands, but that the player is still undecided. He sees Manchester United as a great opportunity and a great leap forward of course, but is comfortable in his home country and may yet decide to commit to his boyhood club.

The latest reports are that, if Sir Alex Ferguson fails in his attempts to bring De Gea to Old Trafford, he will move for the Portuguese 23 year-old goalkeeper, Rui Patricio. The Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Europe, and it has been reported that former Sporting star Luis Nani has recommended the goalkeeper to Ferguson.

The Portuguese press stated that Ferguson sent his goalkeeping coach Eric Steele to Portugal over the week end to watch Patricio in action against FC Porto, and with a number of European clubs watching the player, Steele wasn't alone.

Patricio is not Portugal's number one choice goalkeeper, but he did win his debut against Spain, in the second half of a 4 - 0 win for Portugal on the 17th November 2010. If he joins United this summer, he will be fighting for one of the toughest number 1 spots to fill in Europe, with huge boots to fill when van der sar retires. A goalkeeper is certainly coming to United this summer, but it is up to David de Gea who that goalkeeper is: him, or United's insurance, Patricio.

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So What Is Happening With David De Gea?

It seems that some newspapers know more about transfer deals than the clubs and players involved in them. Manchester United will be buying a goalkeeper in the summer, that is a certainty, but who that goalkeeper will be is the big question. Will Sir Alex Ferguson go for experience in Manuel Neur, or will he go for the youth and promise of David de Gea? Most publications believe it to be the latter, as is evident with their headlines.

Last night the Daily Mail reported an exclusive story stating: "Atletico keeper De Gea to sign five-year contract with Manchester United as clubs agree £17.8m deal".

They went on to say: "Manchester United have agreed a £17.8million deal for Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea." That sounds pretty solid, they sound pretty certain that United have agreed a deal, and De Gea is as good as gone.

However, you would think that if a player is involved in a £17.8 million deal with one of the worlds biggest clubs, he would know something about it, wouldn't you? You would think his agent, who is set to gain a huge some of money (reportedly 8 million Euros) would have told him something about this mega deal.

Well either his agent for some reason hasn't informed his client of Manchester United's proposed deal, or a deal doesn't exist, because the Spanish goalkeeper was quite certain that he has heard nothing from anyone:

"There is nothing, it is all lies." 

"I know nothing about offers from any team, whether it is other clubs or a renewal from Atletico."

"I have given my all to this team since I have been here, and that will continue today and tomorrow, I will always fight for this team."

"I do not think the fans have any reason to be against me, we have the best fans in the world and they will support me until my final day, for that I am sure."

So, straight from the players mouth, no deal has been agreed, or if it has, which is unlikely, the player doesn't know about it.

David De Gea is a very good goalkeeper, and as has been reported on this blog before he would be, in my opinion probably the best choice for Ferguson. At only 20 years old, he has the potential to be United's number 1 goalkeeper for the next 15 or so years, and at a fee of around £20 million, that seems a good deal. A deal may not be "wrapped up" already, like some headlines report, but United's interest is clear, and in the summer transfer window, those headlines might be reported again, but next time, with some truth in them.

Video: Manchester United Target David de Gea

Manchester United will buy a goalkeeper in the summer, that much is clear. Who it will be is the question, but if we are to believe reports from Spain and other sources, United have had a bid accepted for the 20 year old Spaniard, David de Gea.

He has been nicknamed by his Athletico Madrid team mates as "van der gea" due to his resemblance to the current, and soon to retire Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der sar. He is tall, agile, commanding and holds the invaluable quality of being able to keep calm under pressure. It is these sorts of qualities that Sir Alex Ferguson desires to replace his current number 1 and avoid the repetition of the last goalkeeping 'crisis' when Peter Schmeichel left United.

The United manager would also be hopeful to avoid the situation that Arsenal have suffered over the past five years - lacking a commanding, regular, consistent goalkeeper. Arsenal have recently received good news on this front, with another United target Maarten Stekelenburg being quoted as saying: "If an offer from Arsenal arrives, I will leave."

So with David de Gea being reported as United's top target, it is time to have a look at what United fans should expect from him. 29 games this season has seen him keep 9 clean sheets while saving a total of 121 shots. Compared to van der sar, his statistics are not all to bad. The United goalkeeper has played 28, kept 12 clean sheets and made a total of 67 saves. I suggest the statistics are heavily effected by the quality of the defences, but they are interesting nevertheless. Watch highlights of De Gea below:

Sir Alex Wants Stekelenberg at Man United

Rene Meulensteen, the Manchester United first team coach has reportedly stated that the Dutch goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg is top of Sir Alex Ferguson's transfer target list for the summer as they look to replace the retiring Edwin van der sar.

United have been linked to several goalkeepers including David de Gea, Manuel Neur and even Liverpool's Pepe Reina, but according to Meulensteen, Stekelenburg is the priority:

"Stekelenburg is indeed a keeper who is at the top of our wanted list,"

"We naturally talk a lot among ourselves about who should replace Van der Sar. Alex Ferguson has spoken about Stekelenburg with Edwin, and that does not seem strange to me at all."

After having so much trouble in finding a replacement for Peter Schmeichel after he left United, Ferguson is understandably eager to sign a goalkeeper similar to his most recent successful buy, van der sar.

Stekelenburg and Van der Sar both began their career at Ajax - the club where Stekelenburg currently plays with around 186 appearances. During the 2006 World Cup, Stekelenburg was the understudy to Van der Sar while in the 2010 World Cup, Stekelenburg was the number one goalkeeper, and helped his country get to the final - conceding only five goals in the process. He did unfortunately end up on the losing side.
They also both have a large frame - with Van der Sar standing at 6 foot 6 inches, while Stekelenburg stands at 6 foot five and a half.

Despite the signing of Danish keeper Anders Lindegaard, Ferguson is looking for a proven, top quality, goalkeeper with experience in big competitions such as the Champions League. He has a pool of talent to choose from, and he will certainly do his best to get his decision right as he tries to avoid a repeat of the last time their number one left.