David de Gea has shown his allegiances still lie with Manchester United – four months after his glittering 12-year career at Old Trafford came to an unceremonious end.
The Spaniard was United’s No.1 since his arrival from Atletico Madrid in 2011, winning a plethora of individual awards at the club alongside seven trophies – which included the club’s most recent Premier League title in 2013.
His contract at United was not renewed this summer after protracted negotiations over a new deal did not lead to an agreement and boss Erik ten Hag could no longer guarantee his starting status. De Gea remains a free agent, with United moving to sign Andre Onana from Inter – alongside Turkish shot-stopper Altay Bayindir.
Onana – whose eight clean sheets propelled the Milanese giants to last season’s Champions League final – signalled a change in approach under Ten Hag, with the Cameroonian much more comfortable with the ball at his feet and playing proactively outside his box.
However, his start to life as De Gea’s replacement has been far from straightforward with a series of high-profile errors; including howlers in United’s Champions League defeats against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray, alongside several unconvincing performances in the Premier League.
De Gea was back in Manchester this week – amid some suggestions that United should consider offering him a deal to rejoin the club – to support the Red Devils Women's side as they made their Champions League debut at Leigh Sports Village against Paris Saint-Germain.
Melvine Malard came off the bench to equalise for United after Tabitha Chawinga put two-time European runners-up PSG ahead in their second qualifying-round tie as Marc Skinner's side earned an admirable result in their first ever outing on Europe’s biggest stage.
De Gea was in attendance at the match, posting on his Instagram account ahead of kick-off an image of United’s women’s side from his vantage point in the stand and “Let’s go!!! @manutdwomen”. It was a public show of support for his former club.
This should not come as any huge surprise as the Spaniard has a significant emotional attachment to the Red Devils after 12 years in their squad and a key member at the club. A recent report in The Guardian suggested he was considering retiring – if a suitable contract offer did not arrive.
De Gea – who will turn 33 in November – rejected the possibility of playing in Saudi Arabia and wants to remain in European football. However, he will only play for a club who value him and believe the shot-stopper is still in his prime.
cuzdeiklru
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De Gea himself,wasn't good at all. If not,he would have gotten a club by now. His ego made him to rejected conditions given him by man United...