Gary Neville tips Brentford goalkeeper David Raya to step up and replace David de Gea

Gary Neville has identified the player who would make the perfect replacement for Manchester United's David de Gea once the goalkeeper leaves the club.

Former title-winning United full-back Neville believes Brentford shot-stopper David Raya has the attributes needed to thrive at Old Trafford and 'would interest' Erik ten Hag in the summer.

De Gea became the club's all-time record clean sheet holder after managing to keep Newcastle's attackers at bay in United's Carabao Cup final win on Sunday.

But, regardless of ongoing talks to extend his deal that currently expires in the summer, Neville has revealed that the club could start looking at replacements now.

‘I think Raya would interest United in the summer,’ Neville told The Overlap.

‘I went to watch Brentford a couple of weeks ago… I think he’s going to become available, he’s only got a year left. I think he could step up.

Raya has so far starred for Brentford this season, managing eight Premier League clean sheets - the fourth best in the division and has recently turned down two contract offers from the Bees amid interest elsewhere.

His efforts between the sticks have helped them to 9th in the English top-flight, having played every league game for the club this season.

The 27-year-old joined Brentford from Blackburn in 2019 and would represent an experienced player that United hope would be available for a cut-price given his age.

Neville believes it could be one Spaniard for another and additionally went on to highlight the pressures facing goalkeepers at a club with United's stature.

‘It is a problem that. I’ve said it’s the single most difficult position in English football being the Manchester United goalkeeper. I genuinely believe that.

‘I think Liverpool’s number one is the second. And that’s not to be disrespectful to all other clubs, I think the Manchester United goalkeeper comes under more scrutiny if they make a mistake than any other position in English football on the pitch.

‘It’s tough! And I’ve seen lads in that goal [struggle]. That’s the problem they’ve got. It’s whether [a new goalkeeper] can handle that stadium,' he added.

De Gea will likely extend his contract at United given his and other team-mates up turn in form since Ten Hag took over at the club in the summer.

However, it is unlikely that this will be a long-term deal given his age, with Raya previously linked with the Red Devils and likely to leave Brentford at the end of the season.