David De Gea’s contract expires at the end of the season (Credits: Getty Images)

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is privately considering replacing David De Gea at Old Trafford, despite his public assurances that he wants to keep the Spaniard.

The former Atletico Madrid stopper made a disastrous error against West Ham United on Sunday night, which saw United collapse to a second consecutive defeat.

That’s left United battling for a place in the top four, which had seemed a formality as recently as a fortnight ago.

De Gea has been directly at fault for four Premier League goals this season, while his kicking has regularly come into question.

The goalkeeper is out of contract at the end of the season and Ten Hag insisted on Sunday night that the club want to extend De Gea’s deal.

De Gea’s form has been questionable this season (Photo by Federico Guerra Maranesi/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

However, the Manchester Evening News say Ten Hag chose his words carefully and was smart enough not to say that he wanted De Gea to remain number one.

That’s because the Dutchman is keen on signing a new goalkeeper that will compete with De Gea to become first choice.

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Dean Henderson is expected to be sold after spending the season on loan at Nottingham Forest and United could use the funds from that in an approach for a new stopper.

Porto’s Diogo Costa is one name on United’s list, while Jordan Pickford could be a target if Everton are relegated.

MORE : Bruno Fernandes claims Manchester United are ‘not capable of scoring a goal’ after West Ham defeat

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He has backed him publicly.