Manchester United thought Andre Onana was an upgrade on David de Gea when he arrived in the summer of 2023.
After a season packed with errors and erratic passing during the 2022/23 campaign, Erik ten Hag oversaw the Spaniard’s contract expiry.
This was a needed decision at the time; previously, Ten Hag had warned De Gea that he needed to evolve or would see himself overtaken in the goalkeeping department at Manchester United.
Following his release, United signed Andre Onana from Inter Milan and has failed to live up to expectations as he regularly costs the team with errors.
Now, almost two years on from this decision, Onana is linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and subsequently, a replacement will be needed at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, in Spain, De Gea has been impressive.
Photo by Elianton/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images
Photo by Elianton/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images
Sebastien Frey praises David de Gea
It took De Gea over a year to find a club after United released him. The club legend De Gea joined Fiorentina last summer and has been one of Serie A’s best since.
Now, former Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey has spoken out on the Spanish goalkeeper and admitted he was shocked by how fast De Gea got rid of match fitness while speaking to Tutto Mercato.
“I know him by reputation because he has played at a very high level for many years.
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“To tell the truth, I was a bit sceptical… Because of the inactivity. Being out for more than a year (and at that age) is very difficult for a goalkeeper. I thought he needed more time to get back into shape and adapt to a new context”.
Frey then spoke of De Gea’s traits as a goalkeeper, admitting he likes one trait United fans did not: his lack of sweeping.
“He’s a bit like me. He’s also very instinctive, like me”, Frey explained in relation to criticisms.
“They said that about me, too. But a goalkeeper has to make choices in a hundredth of a second. Often, it’s not a good idea to come out.”
David de Gea stats for Fiorentina 2024/25
This season, it would have been acceptable for De Gea to showcase some rustiness in goal after so long out injured, but that has not been the case.
De Gea has played 26 games, conceding 27 goals and keeping nine clean sheets, which is just two off the golden glove.
Stat # Percentile
Saves 79 84th percentile
Goals prevented 1.77 79th percentile
Clean sheets 9 81st percentile
Penalties saved 2 93rd percentile
High claims 10 51st percentile
Acted as sweeper 9 79th percentile
Errors leading to goal 0 100th
Assists 1 100th
De Gea’s save percentage of 74.5% is the league’s third highest, and his saves per 90 of three ranks at sixth in the division.
Despite still not showing dominance in high claims or in passing, it is clear De Gea is still an elite goalkeeper, and Fiorentina are lucky to have him as they look to push for European football.