De Gea delays signing new contract at Old Trafford

DAVID DE GEA is understood to be in no rush to sign a new contract at Manchester United, even though talks over a long-term deal have resumed.

Jose Mourinho said he was confident De Gea would stay, after hailing the Spaniard as the “best goalkeeper in the world” following his stunning save against Young Boys on Tuesday.

United must trigger a 12-month option on De Gea’s current contract, which expires at the end of this season, before January 1 to prevent him from being able to talk to foreign suitors in January. But that is considered a formality and all parties accept he is contracted until the end of next season.

De Gea stands to earn a huge pay rise if he stays at Old Trafford, with Alexis Sanchez’s contract – which is worth up to £500,000 a week – increasing De Gea’s prospects of earning a huge uplift on his existing £200,000-a-week deal.

Struggling

But with United struggling to compete in the Premier League and uncertainty over Mourinho’s future, De Gea is prepared to bide his time.

Meanwhile, Mourinho will face no action from UEFA over his touchline reaction to United’s late winner against Young Boys. The manager kicked over one basket of water bottles and then hurled another over his shoulder and into the turf after watching Marouane Fellaini score in stoppage time and secure United’s progress to the Champions League knockout stage.

Mourinho later admitted that his exuberant reaction was due to “relief” and “frustration” that it took his side so long to see off the Swiss champions in yet another unconvincing home showing.

United’s victory averted the prospect of Mourinho’s side needing a result at Valencia in their final Group H match to reach the last 16.