DAVID DE GEA has enjoyed a stunning return to form with Fiorentina after a YEAR away from the pitch - and now has the stats to back it up.
The former Manchester United star is the highest-rated goalkeeper in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
The decision to let long-term servant De Gea depart on a free transfer and replace him with £41m-recruit Andre Onana was bold.
And now De Gea’s exploits in Italy are starting to raise further question marks on Erik ten Hag’s decision.
The Spaniard, who spent 12 seasons at Old Trafford, had to wait 446 days to enter the pitch again.
Fiorentina placed their trust in him during the summer, securing his services on a one-year contract.
So far, the Serie A side's move has proven to be a masterstroke.
In fact, De Gea's rating of 7.61 makes him the highest rated goalkeeper in Europe this season, according to match ratings site WhoScored.
De Gea has been putting in brilliant displays for the Florence-based outfit on a regular basis.
He saved two penalties to help Fiorentina seal a memorable 2-1 win over AC Milan before the international break.
De Gea got down low to his left to save Theo Hernandez's first-half spot-kick before superbly diving to his right to prevent Tammy Abraham scoring his penalty in the second half.
The 33-year-old also made an incredible save to deny Samuel Chukwueze’s strike from rattling the net.
As per WhoScored, he has made 4.3 saves per game in Serie A so far this term.
And fans were quick to comment on De Gea's new rating.
One user wrote: "Bro casually took a gap year and came back the highest rated keeper as if he's in high school 😂❤."
A second said: "Man United are kicking themselves right now for letting him go."
Another added: "And we dumped him for Onana 😶."
A fourth declared: "Forget playing it out from the back. There is something to be said about just being a good shot stopper."
While one more said: "One of the best goalkeepers ever. A United legend."
Meanwhile, Onana has shown promise this campaign, but he is yet to establish himself as a reliable figure between the sticks.
msiwela07
0
If the team was good enough, we would have won those trophies. The goal keeper shouldn't take the blame of the entire team that was fielded that day.
if the team wins you say he saved the team single handedly but when we lose the failed collectively even though we saw him making grave mistakes leading to goals
YLuswa
0
the Europa trophy and the FA. I'm also a Manchester United fan throughout
If the team was good enough, we would have won those trophies. The goal keeper shouldn't take the blame of the entire team that was fielded that day.
msiwela07
0
Which trophies my brother? I'm a Manchester United fan throughout but no trophies De gea has costed us my brother. the whole team bottled it and sometimes he saved us on his good days
the Europa trophy and the FA. I'm also a Manchester United fan throughout
prosperkabu
2
this same people cursing united for selling De Gea were the same guys crucifying him when he was giving away cheap goals back then,say all sort of things about him including he being replaced with someone else. so u all should stop this hippocracy. even individual has his own weakness and Onana has performed well yet he also has his weakness.
YLuswa
0
de gea os good there at fiorentina we lost valuable trophies and points coz of his poor timing. Manchester United is on safe hands with Onana
Which trophies my brother? I'm a Manchester United fan throughout but no trophies De gea has costed us my brother. the whole team bottled it and sometimes he saved us on his good days
huydeklr
0
worst decision of man UTD.
Lesbckmptz
1
Onana is trying because man united defense is zero
jubaer420
0
Eth has no confident in him. He's soo afraid that he trying to build ajax team so that he could replicate that ajax performance.
AFerjsqv2450
1
DE GEA you rock man🤟🏻❤️
AFerjsqv2450
0
I had huge expectations for EtH when he took over the team. Now i am worried about some choices he made, all money he has spent on half ass players who simply don’t and can’t fit in MU. Not to mention that I’m beyond, beyond worried what will come next and when will the team begin to rebuild??
msiwela07
0
In 7 Hag we believe, the only coach who has managed to break his own history of being the worst
by winning 2 trophies in 2 seasons for Manchester United. poop clown
msiwela07
0
Second goalie to who? I don't agree with you here. the only thing Onana betters De gea is ball playing but shot stopping and reflexes is de gea's dark art
de gea os good there at fiorentina we lost valuable trophies and points coz of his poor timing. Manchester United is on safe hands with Onana
Tecilnopsu
0
bold heads are always sturborn n stupid
pythagorasofficial
2
Onana ain’t bad this season tho, but still not convinced. Onana’s good lately, but De Gea’s class. TBH.
Jowbclmsuy
0
De Gea lost a few important goals for Manchester. But Onana ain't bad, best player United have nowadays. look at the stats in the Premier league.
YLuswa
2
i do agree with you but still de gea would have been second keeper!.
Second goalie to who? I don't agree with you here. the only thing Onana betters De gea is ball playing but shot stopping and reflexes is de gea's dark art
YLuswa
1
De Gea’s performance won’t still make ETH decision wrong. Onana is a better replacement. Is it not the same De Gea that gave away a lot of goals in his last season & still wanted to be the highest paid player? Anyone who thinks it was wrong to let him go is a clone
De gea is by far a better goalie than Onana is, he was our rock when no one showed up for many seasons
vumcinpz
0
De Gea’s performance won’t still make ETH decision wrong. Onana is a better replacement. Is it not the same De Gea that gave away a lot of goals in his last season & still wanted to be the highest paid player? Anyone who thinks it was wrong to let him go is a clone
i do agree with you but still de gea would have been second keeper!.
vumcinpz
1
wawoooo...this is incredible for my man !!!
nuhailnotu
1
ONANA ALSO SAVE A PENALTY SO WHAT AND A ALSO THE REBOUND
Bucbdemnz
3
De Gea’s performance won’t still make ETH decision wrong. Onana is a better replacement. Is it not the same De Gea that gave away a lot of goals in his last season & still wanted to be the highest paid player? Anyone who thinks it was wrong to let him go is a clone
rafaeljoel
1
shows you how clueless Ten hag is
AFerwKOP1454
1
Ghhw
AFerwKOP1454
0
DiduususuajsjajslepowieuiquwsoakmAusyeuwjoduwhryryeuyaanuhesuwkydh
bamadiloty
5
In 7 Hag we believe, the only coach who has managed to break his own history of being the worst