When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. And that’s because caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to rest him to ensure he’s in tip-top shape for Manchester United’s top-four charge. For the third season in a row, the Spaniard was left out by United for their FA Cup third-round clash earlier this month. De Gea didn’t appear in the squad against Reading with Sergio Romero playing instead - and the same will happen tonight. In 2016, De Gea played every round - except the fifth against Shrewsbury - as United went all the way to win the trophy, but that was an exception to the rule.<doc-sep>MANCHESTER UNITED star David De Gea is out for Friday's FA Cup clash against Arsenal. The Spaniard was pictured heading out for lunch with friends after being given a day off by the Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. 6 David De Gea will not play in the FA Cup clash against Arsenal on Friday Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke 6 Given a day off by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the United ace enjoyed lunch with his friends Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke De Gea was not seen with the rest of the United squad as the team travelled by train to London for the fourth-round showdown. And Solskjaer seemingly decided to rest his ace as the 28-year-old goalkeeper was spotted at Piccolino restaurant in Cheshire on Friday, where he enjoyed lunch with his friends. The Spaniard opted for a sporty attire, donning a stylish black bomber jacket with leather sleeves and matching trousers. Sergio Romero is expected to replace De Gea in goal at the Emirates as United seek to make it eight wins out of eight since Solskjaer took over in December. Arsenal vs Manchester United: Live-stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news 6 De Gea opted for Piccolino restaurant in Cheshire Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke 6 The Spaniard donned a stylish black bomber jacket with leather sleeves Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke The 31-year-old is set to face an enormous challenge considering De Gea's recent form. His Wembley heroics in the 1-0 victory over Tottenham, when he needed to make 11 saves to keep a clean sheet, ranked third among the best goalkeeping performances in the last 15 years of Premier League action. He even had his boots from that game framed, using Martin Tyler's idea to celebrate his standout performance. Following the Red Devils' superb form in recent weeks, De Gea is now said to be considering committing his future to the Old Trafford side. 6 Sergio Romero is set to replace De Gea in goal at the Emirates Credit: Reuters 6 Following the Spaniard's Wembley heroics, and United's superb form, De Gea is reportedly set to sign a new £400k-a-week deal with the Red Devils Credit: PA:Press Association But that will cost United some big bucks as the Spaniard demands a staggering £400,000 a week if he is to extend his contract. However, Solskjaer has confirmed the Red Devils are "making progress" in negotiations with De Gea and the goalkeeper will soon sign a new deal, alongside Anthony Martial and Juan Mata.<doc-sep>David De Gea spotted in Hale with Manchester United in London for Arsenal FA Cup tie David De Gea spotted in Hale with Manchester United in London for Arsenal FA Cup tie Get the latest United updates, transfer news and analysis delivered straight to your inbox every day for free Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice David De Gea was spotted in Hale on this afternoon to seemingly confirm his absence from Manchester United's squad for the FA Cup fourth-round game against Arsenal tonight. The Spanish stopper, who recorded a man-of-the-match display on the Reds' last trip to the capital in the 1-0 win against Tottenham on January 13, was not seen by M.E.N. photographers with United's squad as they travelled south by train from Stockport station on Thursday night. Sergio Romero is likely to make his fourth appearance of the season in De Gea's absence at the Emirates. United have won all seven games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's tutelage since the Norwegian took the reins from Jose Mourinho on December 19 last year and will look to add a further feather to the caretaker manager's cap with a win at Arsenal to secure progression to the fifth round of the FA Cup. The Reds have cut the gap to the Premier League's top four to just three points, with the arrears at 11 points when Solskjaer was installed at Old Trafford. United are now level on points with Arsenal, who pip United to fourth position in the Premier League table on goal difference, with the Gunners losing three of their last seven league fixtures. (Image: Eamonn and James Clarke) De Gea's showing against Tottenham was pivotal to United recording a statement victory against Mauricio Pochettino's side, with the Spurs manager remaining the favourite for the permanent manager's position at Old Trafford next season. And Solskjaer said the Spain international, who has won the club's player of the season award in four of the last five years, can become the best stopper in the club's history. "We've had some great keepers at this club and I think he's challenging both Edwin and Peter for the number one spot historically," Solskjaer said.<doc-sep>David De Gea misses Manchester United’s clash with Arsenal (AMA/Getty Images) David De Gea has been left out of Manchester United’s FA Cup clash with Arsenal due to rotation, according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. United’s first-choice goalkeeper has been in sublime form recently but did not travel with the United squad to London for their FA Cup fourth round tie at the Emirates Stadium on Friday evening. Sergio Romero starts ahead of De Gea in goal and Solskjaer admits he is keen to keep the Argentine happy. Asked if De Gea is being rotated, Solskjaer told MUTV: ‘Yes, Sergio is a fantastic goalkeeper we are a team. Sergio Romero starts ahead of De Gea in goal for United (Getty Images) ‘When we looked at the whole season Sergio is the FA Cup goalkeeper, to keep players like him at the club he needs to play big games as well. ‘He’s a fantastic keeper. I’m looking forward to seeing him, he was Man of the the Match against Reading so I’m very confident in him.’ Solskjaer also gave starts to Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez in attack, with both players keen to impress having barely featured for United since the Norwegian replaced Jose Mourinho as manager last month. Alexis Sanchez starts against his former club (BPI/REX) ‘They give us something different Rom with his physical presence, we might be able to get some more crosses in for him,’ said Solskjaer. ‘Alexis he has played here and has played for them so I’m sure he will be up for the game and ready to show them what he’s missed.’<doc-sep>
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has rested David de Gea for Manchester United'sFA Cup fourth round tie at Arsenal. The MEN reported De Gea was not among the United travelling squad which took the train down to London on Thursday afternoon. De Gea was photographed heading to lunch with friends in Hale on Friday afternoon and has been replaced by Sergio Romero at the Emirates Stadium. De Gea has only missed five United games through injury or illness during his seven-and-a-half years with the club. Solskjaer told MUTV: "Sergio is a fantastic goalkeeper. We are a team, Sergio is the FA Cup goalkeeper. To keep players like him at the club he needs to play big games as well. "He was man of the the match against Reading [in the third round], so I’m very confident in him." Romero has played three times for United this season and all of those appearances have come in cup competitions. The Argentinian was sent off in the Carabao Cup third round defeat by Derby and was replaced by Lee Grant. Grant is on the bench against Arsenal. Jose Mourinho previously played Romero ahead of De Gea in all nine of United's Europa League knockout ties two years ago. De Gea sat out the January 2012 visit of Stoke through illness and missed the last game of the 2014-15 campaign at Hull through injury. The Spaniard sustained a warm-up in the Europa League round-of-32 tie at Midtjylland in February 2016 yhat ruled him out for both legs, as well as the FA Cup fifth round stroll at Shrewsbury. Solskjaer will almost certainly recall De Gea for the Premier League visit of Burnley on Tuesday.