It would be a "crime" if Manchester United let David De Gea leave Old Trafford this summer.
That's according to United first-team coach Benni McCarthy, who has backed the under-fire Spanish goalkeeper after his "remarkable" campaign for Erik ten Tag's side this season.
De Gea recently picked up the Premier League's Golden Glove award having kept 16 clean sheets for the Reds, which is the second time he's won the prize following his success in 2017/18.
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But the long-serving goalkeeper has been criticised throughout the most-recent campaign for his distribution, as well as his proneness to the odd mistake.
De Gea has been linked with a move to money-happy Saudi Arabia of late after Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante accepted a reported £100 million per year contract to join Al-Ittihad.
The 32-year-old, however, is set to extend his stay at United for at least another two years, according to talkSPORT – a piece of news Benni McCarthy will be delighted about.
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Speaking to 947 Joburg about De Gea, the former Blackburn striker said: “He kept 17 clean sheets in the league. Yes, of course, you’re going to concede, but to win the Golden Glove for yet another season is remarkable.
“You see how difficult the league is so I understand that everyone has a bad game here and there, but it doesn’t stop him from being one of the best goalkeepers I’ve seen and I’ve worked with. He is unbelievable."
McCarthy added: “I work with him every single day and I get to see first-hand more than what most people get to do. You only see him on a Saturday or on a matchday, and if you see him make a mistake the critics hit the roof.
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“But I get to spend every single day with him and he is an unbelievable guy, a great lad, very intelligent and one of the best goalkeepers I have seen. It would be a crime if Man United lose a goalkeeper like David de Gea.”
Last month, when he was asked if De Gea would be at Old Trafford next season, United manager Erik ten Hag confirmed his stay but admitted he might not "always" be his number-one goalkeeper.
“Yes, but I will not say he’ll always be my No 1 because, in a club like Man United, there must be competition in all positions," he said.
“You can’t do it with 11 players. It is impossible. You need double positions.”
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Thoughts on De Gea's future? Is he good enough to be United's number-one next season? If not, who would you have in between the sticks?
Let us know in the comments.
Jack Kenmare