Speculation has been changing daily as to whether David de Gea will be leaving Manchester United at the end of the season.

United’s No.1 has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid as a long-term replacement for 33-year-old Iker Casillas who has been linked with possible moves to fellow Premier League sides Liverpool and Arsenal this summer.

de Gea signed for the Red Devils in 2011 and after a shaky start – which saw many slate him as he couldn’t match up to the brilliance of Edwin Van der Sar. Since then, his form has greatly increased and this season he has helped United into the top three which has sparked the interest from Spain. Superb goalkeepers are hard to find the two best in the world Casillas and Gianlugi Buffon have split the goalkeeper spot in the FIFA World XI for the last seven years.

It was previously thought that Buffon would be retiring in the summer with Juve starting to look for a replacement but the 37-year-old has insisted he isn’t ready to hang up his gloves just yet. He told the press, “If I continue at this level physically and mentally, I can guarantee another two or three years at the top level. I’m not a number two, I want to be a 40-year-old who is still number one.”

Whilst the goalkeeper has been one of the best in the world for some time he may not be the right signing for United.

The Red Devils’ reserve shot stoppers, Anders Lindergaard and Victor Valdes are 30-years-old and 33-years-old, respectively. This means that signing Buffon would leave them with three goalkeepers over 30 and no youngsters to develop. There are plenty of young talented players out there in Europe and maybe United need to look at the upcoming talent like Jack Butland.

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The 22-year-old Stoke player has had a mixed season so far. In October he joined Derby on loan where he was an immediate success; he was soon called back by Stoke and has since been back-up for Asmir Begovic. Since returning to Stoke he has only played in FA Cup and League Cup matches but he has recently signed a contract extension to keep him at Stoke until 2019. Despite this Butland is regarded as a superb goalie and while it was believed Begovic may leave the Potters at the end of the season it looks like this might not happen.

Butland began his career at Birmingham City and established himself as a well-renowned player; he has represented England at all age groups and in 2012 he became the youngest goalkeeper to play for the senior England team. With strong reflexes and a big frame he was once one of the most sought after English players with many expecting him to be Joe Hart’s main challengers for the Three Lions but his career seems to have hit a slump and maybe a move to a club where he can develop under some of the best coaches in the world is what he needs.

There are a lot of ifs and buts about Man United’s goalkeeper situation but if de Gea leaves and they end up on the lookout for a new goalie a lot more research needs to be done about just what they need. Do they want a straight replacement or will they let Lindegaard or Valdes step up the plate and bring in a protégée?

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