Whenever there would be talk of the best goalkeepers in the game for Manchester United, the name of David de Gea would always be there. David has been a part of a triumphal Manchester United side multiple times including a Premier League title, an FA Cup, two League Cups, three Community Shields, and the UEFA Europa League. He has also won the Premier League ‘Golden Glove’ last year.
However, Manchester United released De Gea as a free agent, earlier this summer. The Old Trafford based club neither gave him a proper farewell nor an immense amount of gratitude for his year-long services at the club. He had announced his departure through a social media post. Many fans and pundits have criticized United for the way they have treated him. They believe that the club has shown a lack of respect for one of their greatest players.
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
In the summer of 2023, De Gea‘s contract was due to expire. United offered him a new deal, but it was on reduced terms. This was despite the fact that he had been one of the club’s highest earners. He reportedly rejected the offer as the deal was disappointing for him.
After this, United manager Erik ten Hag openly stated that he wanted a new goalkeeper who is more ‘ball playing’ to be his number one. This was despite the fact that De Gea had been one of the best goalkeepers in the world for the past decade.
🇪🇸🧤🤷♂️
Yes! It is TRUE some members of the Manchester United squad are unsure why the club treated David de Gea so harshly towards the end.Players are confused why he was never given a proper send off from the Old Trafford fans.
They think his end was DISRESPECTFUL to De Gea 👀 pic.twitter.com/hbCTG5t7AB— TransfersRadar (@TransfersRadar) September 21, 2023
According to sources, Manchester United players are still fuming at how Manchester United treated David de Gea this summer. The players are concerned that if it could happen to De Gea, a Manchester United legend, it could happen to any of them.
The Dutch manager is still facing the wrath of fans, following De Gea’s departure and ten Hag’s preference for his former Ajax player Andre Onana. A fan on X posted that De Gea was treated like a random amateur player at the end of his time at United and deserved a better farewell.
He Had Legendary Wages And He Stayed Too Long;GOOD RIDDANCE
— Wisdom SIRACH Leveller (@WisdomOfTaka) September 23, 2023
Another fan has blamed Erik ten Hag and has said his arrogance is playing a part in his decisions and his attitude is going to cost Manchester United a long time.
Another fan said that United will soon realize how much they miss De Gea and how no one else can replace him. He also said it was a huge mistake by United to let De Gea leave. The 32-year-old Spanish goalkeeper joined the English club from Atletico Madrid in 2011. Furthermore, the player has won five major trophies with the club during his twelve-year spell.
United’s David De Gea replacement, Andre Onana has failed to impress in all of his outings;
Erik ten Hag signed Andre Onana, a member of his iconic 2018 Ajax team, for a whopping $63 million to replace David De Gea. According to ten Hag, Onana was more active on the ball than De Gea and you need a keeper whose ball distribution is top-notch at this point of the game. His claims are evidently true as he has a hundred and four total passes in comparison to sixty-six of De Gea in the first four matches.
De Gea 🆚 Onana pic.twitter.com/DyibavbtB6
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 6, 2023
However, the Cameroonian has failed to impress so far as he conceded seven goals in his first four games for the Glazers and the tally rose to 14 goals after just two more matches. There have been a few moments when he could have done better. Onana’s run with United has been disastrous so far and as the season unfolds, we’ll get to know if his signing was the solution for United.
