Manchester United and David de Gea have officially announced the goalkeeper’s departure from the club. After failing to reach an agreement to extend his contract, which expired in June, the 32-year-old Spanish goalkeeper will be leaving the club he joined in 2011 from Atletico Madrid.
Despite months of negotiations, both parties were unable to find common ground, leading to De Gea’s departure. Manchester United sees this as an opportunity to reshape the squad and is currently exploring various options to fill the No. 1 spot in manager Erik ten Hag’s team. Among the potential candidates are Andre Onana from Inter Milan and Dean Henderson, who spent the previous season on loan at Nottingham Forest.
Negotiations with Inter for Onana are still ongoing, but a deal is expected to take several days to finalize. In the meantime, De Gea took to social media on Saturday to bid farewell to the club and express his gratitude to the United fans for their unwavering support throughout his 12-year tenure.
In his farewell message, De Gea said, “I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters. I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years. We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club.”
The Spanish goalkeeper reflected on his time at Manchester United, acknowledging the honor and pride he felt wearing the iconic club’s shirt and leading the team. He expressed his gratitude for the unforgettable and successful period, highlighting the unexpected achievements made since his arrival from Madrid as a young boy.
Now, De Gea feels it is the right time to embark on a new challenge and push himself in a different environment. While he bids farewell to Manchester, he acknowledges that the city will always hold a special place in his heart, having shaped him both personally and professionally.
De Gea leaves Manchester United with an impressive record, having made 545 appearances for the club and keeping 190 clean sheets. Throughout his time at United, he played a pivotal role in winning eight trophies, including the Premier League, Europa League, and FA Cup.
Bruno Fernandes, United’s vice-captain, paid tribute to De Gea’s contributions to the team, acknowledging his place in the club’s history. Fernandes took to social media and wrote, “You deserved to say goodbye at the stadium with all the fans cheering you for all the beautiful memories. You made history at the club, and your name will never be forgotten.”
Manager Erik ten Hag also issued a statement on the club’s website, recognizing De Gea’s remarkable career at Manchester United and wishing him well for the future. Ten Hag emphasized the quality and character it takes to play for Manchester United and hailed De Gea’s exceptional achievements, highlighting his four Player of the Year awards and his status as one of the best goalkeepers in the club’s history.
As De Gea begins a new chapter in his career, both the players and staff at Manchester United extend their best wishes to the goalkeeper, acknowledging his invaluable contributions during their time together.