Goalkeeper David De Gea is set to leave Manchester United after failing to agree a new contract with the club.
David De Gea enjoyed a rather paradoxical season in 2022-2023, winning the Premier League Golden Glove with 25 clean sheets. He also broke Peter Schmeichel’s Manchester United clean sheet record, and leaves with a total of 190.
However, high profile errors and inconsistent form exacerbated the issue that was always likely to be his undoing. David De Gea is not a modern goalkeeper.
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To compete at Champions League level, you need a goalkeeper who is comfortable passing the ball. For all of his elite qualities, De Gea is not that.
It looks likely that Andre Onana will leave Inter Milan for Old Trafford and address that shortcoming in Erik ten Hag’s team. Onana is going to cost them about £80 million, because that’s how valuable a ball-playing goalkeeper is.
Look at Brentford, who have already signed a replacement for David Raya, who looks set to depart this summer. They will earn around £40 million from whichever team buys him.
The goalposts have been moved on David De Gea and for a goalkeeper, that’s a big issue. De Gea joined Manchester United from Atletico Madrid in 2011.
He’s made 545 appearances for United, the most by any goalkeeper. In his 12 years at Old Trafford he won five major trophies, including the Premier League in 2013.
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“I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years,” said De Gea in a statement. “We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club.
“I took incredible pride every time I pulled on this shirt. To lead the team, to represent this institution – the biggest club in the world – was an honour only bestowed upon a few lucky footballers.
“Now it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge, to push myself again in new surroundings.
