In spite of rumors that David de Gea was prepared to return to Manchester United, Erik ten Hag was reportedly retained as manager for a third season.
During Ten Hag’s first season as United manager, the Spaniard was the team’s starting goalkeeper. However, he was finally replaced due to a string of high-profile mistakes.
His 12-year tenure at Old Trafford came to a disappointing end, as the club let his contract expire before deciding not to extend it.After De Gea went unattached and became a free agent for the first time in his career, Inter Milan signed Andre Onana to replace him.
After years of being praised as one of the world’s greatest shot-stoppers, the Cameroonian had a rough go of it in his first few months as United’s starting goalkeeper. Fans wanted De Gea back, though.According to The Athletic, De Gea opted to take a season off from football and wanted to return to United despite attention from elite European and Saudi Arabian sides.
The 33-year-old was deeply disappointed by the behavior of both Ten Hag and John Murtough, the former football director who was responsible for his abrupt departure. He vowed never to return to his previous club until they were both gone.With Murtough out of the picture and Ten hag seemingly headed for the firing following the club’s worst-ever Premier League campaign—in which they finished eighth with a negative goal differential—the FA Cup came to the rescue.
Interrupting the Dutchman’s summer vacation in Ibiza to undertake showdown negotiations, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS sporting staff ultimately determined he was the ideal candidate to steer the club forward in light of their new investment.
De Gea rethought his strategy for achieving his goal of reuniting with his former United teammates after he agreed to a one-year contract extension.
Despite receiving offers from Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Italy, the goalkeeper has kept his skills sharp by engaging in private goalkeeping workouts, which he frequently shares on social media.
After making 545 appearances for United since his initial signing under Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure, De Gea may be poised to reveal his next destination, as he recently shared a mysterious hourglass image on social media.