One of his main strengths is his distribution, especially when under pressure - a key part of Ten Hag's playing style.
And according to a new report, the United boss decided to target the shot-stopper after three key moments last season.
The Athletic claim that it was three errors made by De Gea last term that convinced Ten Hag to act and sign a new number one goalkeeper for the upcoming campaign.United had been in talks with De Gea over a new contract, with Fabrizio Romano claiming in May that both parties were close to agreeing fresh terms.
But the club eventually decided to withdraw their offer to the Spaniard, and The Athletic have reported the thinking behind that decision.
They say that the two goals De Gea conceded in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, in which he could not keep out long distance efforts from Ilkay Gundogan, played a role, as well as the fact that he had to kick the ball out due to City's aggressive pressing.
De Gea also made an error that led to goals in the 3-0 defeat to Sevilla in the Europa League, a scoreline which led to United's exit from the competition at the quarter final stage.
He also made an error in the 1-0 defeat to West Ham in the same month, with those moments convincing Ten Hag that he had to make yet another big decision in his managerial stint at Old Trafford.
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