David de Gea will return from his post-Euro 2020 holiday early in an effort to win back his place in the Manchester United starting XI, according to reports.
The Spanish shot-stopper has spent the summer at the European Championships as Spain made it to the semi-finals, losing to eventual winners Italy – though De Gea did not play with Unai Simon handed the starting role between the sticks by Luis Enrique.
Having also ended the domestic season behind Dean Henderson at United, The Sun report that De Gea is desperate to reassert himself for club and country.
Although all players involved in the Euros were granted at least three weeks off, the 30-year-old has elected to return after just two weeks and will be back in training next week.
Despite initially being named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, Henderson had to drop out due to injury but had recovered in time to take part in pre-season with United from the very first day.
With Tom Heaton having also been signed over the summer as an experienced backup option, De Gea is suddenly fearing for his future at Old Trafford.
But The Sun say he is determined to win back his place, particularly after a month sat on the bench for Spain, and believes he can win over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The United manager had initially handed the number one shirt to De Gea at the start of last season but later alternated between the two, eventually seeming to stick on Henderson as his preferred choice.
Solskjaer still has an open mind over who his starting goalkeeper will be next season and will once again give both players a chance to impress.
While Henderson was selected in the Premier League, De Gea was picked between the sticks for the Europa League final but struggled in the shootout – conceding all 11 that were taken – and then missed his own spot-kick.
There is a possibility United could still sell one of their goalkeepers this season, though the number of admirers looking to sign De Gea has reduced dramatically in recent seasons.
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