United are expected to sign a new shot-stopper this summer amid speculation David de Gea will either leave or be demoted to No. 2.
De Gea has made more than 500 appearances for the Old Trafford club and as recently as last season won the Golden Glove award in the Premier League.
But the 32-year-old was also criticised for a number of mistakes during the 2022-23 campaign and there is a sense De Gea is not only past his best but not suited to Erik ten Hag’s style of play.
While De Gea will be a free agent in a couple of weeks, Ten Hag remains keen for the Spaniard to sign a contract extension, though he will have to take a pay-cut and accept the possibility of becoming the club’s back-up goalkeeper.
Given the uncertainty over De Gea’s future, Manchester United are stepping up their interest in Pickford and intend to approach Everton with an offer worth £45m next week.
According to the Daily Star, Ten Hag views Pickford as his top-choice replacement for De Gea and is impressed by the England star’s shot-stopping and distribution.
United are also optimistic of striking a deal with Everton, who are still facing financial difficulties despite avoiding relegation to the Championship on the final day of the season.
Pickford, who has made 237 appearances for the Toffees, would double his current salary at Manchester United.
Speaking to Metro.co.uk last week, Old Trafford legend Gary Neville said the time had come for United to replace De Gea.
‘You have got to start with a centre forward and a goalkeeper,’ Neville said. ‘If you don’t have those two positions fixed in a football team you are massively struggling.
‘Manchester United are massively struggling particularly up front but it has come to the time where they have to get a top goalkeeper.
‘That Cup final [against City] said it to us all. I don’t like mentioning it too much but the second goal shouldn’t have gone in the back of the net.
‘The reality of it is, David de Gea has had a great career at Manchester United, he has been a fantastic goalkeeper. But now is the time for him to be challenged and get someone in to be that No. 1.
‘But you can look at midfield as well. There is a problem where they have got two players who have got legs who aren’t good enough on the ball and two good enough on the ball who haven’t got the legs.
‘I still think the composition of that midfield is not right so they need to sort that out. You can have one player who maybe can’t get about but he [Ten Hag] wants to play through the midfield with technical players and he can’t do that with the players that he’s got there.’
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