Manchester United eye new long-term deal for star man

Jose Mourinho wants Manchester United to hand David De Gea a new long-term contract.

De Gea has enjoyed another stunning season for United and has firmly established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

The 27-year-old’s current deal is due to expire at the end of next season but United have an option to extend that by a further 12 months.

However, Mourinho is keen for De Gea’s future to be resolved before then and hopes the Spain international agrees a new deal with the club.

“It’s obvious that we are not going to let the option [to extend his deal] disappear,” Mourinho said on Friday. “A goalkeeper like he is, at a club that wants to be better and better and better – we are not going to let that option go away. We are going to try.

“[Executive vice-chairman] Mr Woodward is not on holiday – he barely has holidays – and of course he is going to try to give him a contract that keeps him here for much more than the option that, of course, we are going to execute.

“I don’t know [whether talks have already started]. I just trust the board and the work they do. I don’t negotiate players; I don’t discuss numbers and contracts.

“I just say what is obvious and any one of you would say the same: David is to keep.”

De Gea has been regularly linked with a move to Real Madrid in the past and United hope a new long-term deal will end those rumours once and for all.

No goalkeeper has kept more clean sheets than De Gea in Europe’s top five leagues this season (12).