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Solskjaer confident De Gea will sign new deal soon
PERTH, Australia, July 16, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said
Tuesday he was optimistic that goalkeeper David De Gea would sign a new deal
to remain at Old Trafford as Manchester United prepared to face old rivals
Leeds in Perth.
United’s pre-season tour of Australia has been overshadowed speculation
over the futures of several stars, including De Gea who is in the last year
of his contract and has been linked with French champions Paris Saint-
Germain.
The Spaniard is reportedly close to signing a new five-year deal with
United worth in excess of œ350,000 a week that would make him the highest
paid goalkeeper in the world.
De Gea was rested from United’s pre-season opener against Perth Glory on
Saturday but will line up against Leeds on Wednesday to wrap up the Red
Devils’ 10-day visit to the Western Australia city.
“He’ll play and hopefully we can agree (on a new deal) with David, as I’ve
said a few times,” Solskjaer told reporters.
“That’ll be up to David to announce when that happens, if and when.”
The United boss refused to be drawn on whether Leicester City and England
centreback Harry Maguire was on his way to Old Trafford.
“There’s been loads of speculation but I can’t really say anything,”
Solskjaer said.
“There’s a limit of players and whoever performs will be part of the team
and whoever doesn’t they will have to fight to get back in.”
After an unconvincing 2-0 victory over a depleted Perth, United will be
hoping for a better performance against one-time bitter enemy Leeds.
The rivalry has simmered since Leeds’ relegation from the English Premier
League in 2004 but hostilities between the passionate fan bases are still
evident with extra security measures being put in place by organisers at
Perth Stadium.
Solskjaer said United were excited to renew the rivalry. “Of course you
want to have games against the biggest clubs,” he said. “It’s a great
occasion for both sets of supporters and the players because there were great
games (in the past).”
Romelu Lukaku, who is reportedly looking to secure a move to Inter Milan,
is set to play his first pre-season match against Leeds after recovering from
a “niggle”. However, Luke Shaw is likely to miss out after suffering a
hamstring injury in the match against Perth.
United will have further pre-season games against Inter Milan in Singapore
on July 20 and Tottenham in Shanghai on July 25, while Leeds will head to
Sydney to face Western Sydney Wanderers.
BSS/AFP/GMR/1027 hrs