Manchester United Transfer News: Jordan Pickford, David De Gea, Latest Rumours

Manchester United will reportedly enter the race to sign Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford should David De Gea leave Old Trafford in the summer.

According to Luke Edwards of the Daily Telegraph, United manager Jose Mourinho is ready to rival Manchester City in the pursuit of the Black Cats youngster, who has shone for his side this season. Everton, Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham United are also said to admire the 23-year-old.

De Gea has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid. According to Carlos Carpio of Marca, Los Blancos are intent on signing the Spain international this summer. United have been linked with goalkeepers as a result of this speculation, with Sky Sports stating that Leicester City's Kasper Schmeichel is on their radar.

If De Gea, one of the best goalkeepers in football, were to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season, he'd be a huge loss to the Red Devils. For someone as relatively inexperienced as Pickford, it'd be a massive challenge to replace him.

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The Sunderland man has been exceptional in 2016-17, though. While the Black Cats have been relegated and turned in some horrid performances, had it not been for Pickford's brilliance between the sticks, their plight would be even bleaker.

He impressed again on Saturday, as Sunderland grabbed a 2-0 win at Hull City. Former Black Cats man David Preece hailed Pickford's rounded display:

There's a lot to admire about the goalkeeper. So often this season, he's showcased a remarkable agility, getting to shots that plenty of other Premier League stoppers would fail to reach. Additionally, he's showcased great authority in commanding his area.

As Preece noted, Pickford's distribution is outstanding too, making it easy to see why a manager like City's Pep Guardiola would be interested in acquiring him.

Sunderland boss David Moyes has warned the goalkeeper about going to a club with whom he'd be on the bench, though.

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"Obviously, it's up to the club, but if Jordan were to go elsewhere and not be the No. 1, that wouldn't be good for him," he said, per Edwards. "You can see what he does for us with the saves he makes. He's been outstanding from day one."

Per WhoScored.com, Pickford has been a busy man this season:

Being a goalkeeper for a team at the top end of the league requires different attributes, though. What makes De Gea so impressive is his unrelenting focus; the Spaniard can go for long spells in a match without having to do anything, but he is so sharp when he's needed to spring into action.

It's why some United fans may have reservations about Pickford, who is untested at the highest level. Nevertheless, in terms of his pure goalkeeping skill, he's one of the most exciting young stoppers in the country.