David de Gea
De Gea has been in startling form for United this season. Getty Images

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has claimed "it is not a good thing that" David De Gea becomes Player of the Year, as it is a clear sign that Louis van Gaal's side have conceded too many chances to the rivals in defence.

The Spaniard has been nominated for the 2014-15 Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) player of the year award alongside Eden Hazard, Harry Kane, Diego Costa, Alexis Sanchez and Philippe Coutinho after becoming one of the leaders of United despite being just 24-years-old.

The former Atletico Madrid number one was crucial during the inconsistent first part of the campaign, with a number of remarkable performances such as against Everton and Liverpool, while has kept the good form during the team's recent run of six consecutive victories.

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The Spanish international may become the third goalkeeper to lift the prestigious award after the successes of Pat Jennings (1974) and Peter Shilton (1978).

Van der Sar has lavished praise on his performances but believes his nomination is not a good sign, as it means that United have been failing in the back-line.

"Well, okay but you can also say it's not a good thing that the goalkeeper becomes Player of the Year. Let's hope next year the football is going to be played more in the half of the opposite team and not too much at the back end!" he said to the club official website.

"Of course he is [one of the best keepers in the world]. He's had a tremendous year, made some very important saves, and has been one of the strongholds of the team," he said.

"That's good to see. Initially, in his first year, he had some difficulties but he has really achieved a lot. It's not easy to come to a different country at a young age with a different language and different methods but he really showed his worth and has become massively important to the club. The fans really appreciate him."

Meanwhile, ahead of United trip to Chelsea on Saturday 18 April, van der Sar has addressed the comparisons between De Gea and Thibaut Courotis.

"They have a similar stature and build and, of course, had the same route as Courtois also came from Atletico Madrid after playing in Belgium at a young age. They've both started very young. I was 23 when I started playing in the first team [at Ajax] and I think they're still both around that age that now. Some people are early developers but I think I was a late developer, although I managed to stretch my career to 40 and still enjoyed very many nice years on the football pitch in Europe."

At the same time the former Dutch keeper has expressed his respect for Chelsea's second keeper Petr Cech, hoping he will find a new club where he can prove his worth again.

"Let's hope so. It's important that young goalkeepers have an example and somebody they can look up to. Those guys really do their job, although I have a lot of respect for Petr Cech from my time when he played with Chelsea. I think it's important for him to find a nice new club where he can show the quality that Petr Cech has."