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David de Gea is set to become the first non-British player to make 400 Premier League appearances for one club after being named in Manchester United’s starting XI for the clash with Leeds United.
Erik ten Hag also handed Jadon Sancho his first start since a 1-1 draw with Chelsea on October 22 after the England international made substitute appearances in two of United’s previous three games following a lengthy spell out of action.
De Gea started his career at Atletico Madrid before signing for United ahead of the 2011-12 season.
He helped United win the Premier League title in the following campaign, yet has only got his hands on two more trophies since then – the FA Cup and EFL Cup in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
His landmark appearance at Elland Road also makes him the first goalkeeper in Premier League history to make 400 appearances for the same club.
The 32-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season, though United have an option to trigger a one-year extension, and there have been talks regarding an agreement for a longer renewal.
Ten Hag shuffled his pack in defence, with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw starting in the middle of the back four instead of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
Sancho, meanwhile, has been drafted back in following his excellent cameo against Leeds on Wednesday, as United fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with their manageress rivals.
No replacement for Jesse Marsch has yet been instilled at Leeds, with caretaker Michael Skubala taking charge of his second match.
