News24
16 Jul 2019, 11:12 GMT+10
Perth - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on 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 Pound 350 000 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.
Get a daily dose of Manila Metro news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Manila Metro.
More InformationBEIJING/WASHINGTON, D.C.: In a rare move aimed at easing mounting supply chain pressure, China has issued temporary export licenses...
TOKYO, Japan: Japan's hopes for a foothold in commercial lunar exploration suffered a second blow this week after Tokyo-based startup...
SYDNEY, Australia: Australia will not ease its strict biosecurity rules during trade talks with the United States, Prime Minister Anthony...
TOKYO, Japan: Japan's demographic challenges intensified in 2024, with the number of births falling to another all-time low—underscoring...
BEIJING, China: A little-known office inside China's Ministry of Commerce has become a powerful chokepoint in the global auto and tech...
BERLIN/FRANKFURT: Some car parts factories in Europe have stopped production, and companies like Mercedes-Benz are making backup plans...
DERA BAJWA, Pakistan: Amir Ali, a 21-year-old man from Pakistan, dreamed of going to Europe for a better life. He was promised a visa...
TOKYO, Japan: Japan's hopes for a foothold in commercial lunar exploration suffered a second blow this week after Tokyo-based startup...
MOSCOW, Russia: Russia's principal security agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB), has accused British intelligence of using the...
SYDNEY, Australia: Australia will not ease its strict biosecurity rules during trade talks with the United States, Prime Minister Anthony...
The Israeli Navy has intercepted a ship carrying humanitarian aid and a number of activists including Greta Thunberg, Rima Hassan,...
TOKYO, Japan: Japan's demographic challenges intensified in 2024, with the number of births falling to another all-time low—underscoring...