Manchester United shot-stopper David de Gea has confirmed that he will be leaving the club after 12 years at Old Trafford in an emotional social media post.
The Spaniard’s contract ran out last week after the club opted against triggering the optional one year extension to his previous deal. However, the two parties had remained in negotiations over a potential cut-price stay for last season’s golden glove winner.
Ultimately, though, no agreement was forthcoming and the goalkeeper has today confirmed that he will be leaving Old Trafford.
I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters’, De Gea wrote on Twitter.
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. I took incredible pride everytime I pulled on this shirt, to lead the team, to represent this institution, the biggest club in the world was an honour only bestows upon a few lucky footballers.
It’s been an unforgettable and successful period since I came here. I didn’t think from leaving Madrid as a young boy we would achieve what we did together. Now, it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge, to push myself again in new surroundings. Manchester will always be in my heart, Manchester has shaped me and will never leave me. We’ve seen it all’.
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. I took incredible… pic.twitter.com/6R7ezOEf1E
— David de Gea (@D_DeGea) July 8, 2023
De Gea’s ability to play out from the back was constantly scrutinised last season, and several high profile mistakes including against West Ham and Sevilla appear to have proved too much for the Red Devils to countenance.
Manchester United currently only have Tom Heaton on their books as a senior goalkeeper, though they are locked in talks with Inter Milan over a potential 50m euro move for Andre Onana, who Ten Hag worked with at Ajax.
