Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has made it clear how excited he is to be heading back to Old Trafford this Saturday. For the first time since leaving the club in 2023, the 34-year-old will play in front of United fans in the club’s final pre-season game before their Premier League opener.
De Gea will travel with Fiorentina. After spending 12 months as a free agent upon leaving United, he signed with the Serie A side last summer and established himself as the No.1, making 42 appearances in the 2024/25 campaign. His form saw him rewarded with a new contract in May, and he’ll now stay in Italy until the summer of 2028.
The former Spanish international has responded to United’s social media post promoting the clash. On X, the official club account read: “More than 50,000 tickets have been sold for Saturday's Old Trafford return. Join us for United v Fiorentina.”
De Gea, who remains an icon to United fans, made no secret of his affection for his former club, replying: “United Road. See you Saturday.”
He spent 12 seasons in Manchester after being signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2011. During that time, the ex-Atletico Madrid man played 545 times for the club, and was pivotal in the club winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup during his stint.
De Gea also won two Golden Glove awards while at United. Ironically, his second one came in the 2022/23 season, after which United signed Andre Onana and De Gea was released by manager Erik ten Hag.
Upon leaving, he releases an emotional statement, saying: “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 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.”