Manchester United player David de Gea has announced his departure from the club in a heartwarming letter to the fans. The player broke Peter Schmeichel’s clean sheet record at the club 2022-23 season. Furthermore, the player has won multiple Player of the Year awards at the club.
David de Gea wrote, “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 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
He further wrote, “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 honor only bestows upon a few lucky footballers… 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.”
Manchester United fans were saddened by the player’s decision to leave the club and were seen thanking the player for his contributions to the club for the past 12 years. One fan wrote, “Thank you Dave. Legend forever”
Thank you Dave. Legend forever
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) July 8, 2023
Another fan thanked the player for his innumerable saves that helped the club. They wrote, “Big Dave! Thank you for the unforgettable saves!!!”
Big Dave! Thank you for the unforgettable saves !!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/U30Nece0WV
— SlickRule (@SlickRule) July 8, 2023
While another fan expressed how unfairly the player has been treated by the club. They wrote, “The level of disrespect and humiliation this man endured under ten Hag … you have my best wishes Legend”
Omg 😳 😭😭😭 … the level of disrespect and humiliation this man endured under ten Hag . 😭 .. you have my best wishes Legend ❤️
— Hon. Rilwan (@rilwan_ola01) July 8, 2023
De Gea 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.
Rio Ferdinand reacts to David de Gea’s departure from Manchester United
Former United player Rio Ferdinand has shared his thoughts on the player’s announcement. Ferdinand shared his disappointment with the club’s handling of the situation.
He said, “It’s a funny situation. Whether you think David de Gea is good enough for Manchester United anymore is up for debate. But he’s been an unreal servant to this football club. He’s been there for 12 years and has been Player for the Year multiple times.”
He further went on, “In the main he’s served the club remarkably well, he’s an outstanding professional. There are a lot of people calling for him to leave and that’s understandable and fair. I’m just a little bit gutted with how the club have handled this.”
Rio Ferdinand slams Manchester United’s treatment of David de Gea
Rio Ferdinand is disappointed with how Manchester United have treated David de Gea and claims ‘more and more players’ are leaving the club with a ‘sour taste’ in their mouth. pic.twitter.com/UN9ROqpwkT— Bliss ❤️ (@arinzechukwuab1) June 30, 2023
“It comes down to communication. I’m seeing more and more players leave with a sour taste and it’s not right. I don’t think it’s fair on the player. David must be sitting there and thinking, ‘I never dreamed that I would leave the club in this way, in this manner’.”
David de Gea has made 545 appearances for the club since his arrival and has kept 148 clean sheets. The player had been an important player for United since his arrival, therefore, fans are disappointed to see him leave like this.