Manchester United won’t be bringing back David de Gea despite to Old Trafford this summer
Manchester United’s new season started just like the previous one ended—full of disappointment and questions. The first Premier League match played against Arsenal on Sunday ended in a 1-0 defeat. In the initial moments, the team made some good moves, but that shine did not last long. The biggest mistake was when Altay Bayindir did not clear a corner properly, and Riccardo Calafiori scored with his head to give Arsenal the lead.
After that United tried to respond. Benjamin Sesko was sent to the field by Ruben Amorim, but Bryan Mbeumo came closest to scoring, whose brilliant overhead kick went out wide and then David Raya stopped his header. After the defeat, all eyes are now on the transfer market, where the club’s focus is on the goalkeeper position, as Andre Onana kept making mistakes last season.
Speculation on David de Gea’s return and O’Rourke’s opinion
David de Gea’s name was being strongly linked with United in the last few days. Fans felt that perhaps the club could bring back their former legendary goalkeeper, especially when he came to Old Trafford during the pre-season match against Fiorentina, and the fans present in the stadium welcomed him enthusiastically. However, in the Football Insider podcast, Pete O’Rourke described this possibility as very weak.
Manchester United won't be bringing back David de Gea despite to Old Trafford this summer.
According to him, it is difficult for United to re-sign De Gea because, firstly, he is now 34 years old and is in the last phase of his career, and secondly, Fiorentina have no plans to let him leave. O’Rourke said that De Gea is happy in Italy and his performance is also stable there at the moment, so United should focus on some other option instead of sticking to him.
Reports like these make it clear that Amorim and the club management want to strengthen the goalkeeper position for the long term. Onana’s repeated mistakes have raised questions about the position, but De Gea’s return seems less practical than emotional. This is hard to hear for United fans, but the club’s strategy in the transfer market are now being made with the future in mind rather than emotions.
“It would surprise me. I don’t really see this move happening.”
“Obviously, De Gea was back at Old Trafford the other week for that pre-season game with Fiorentina, he got a great reception as you’d expect from the fans.”
“Fiorentina are not planning for De Gea to leave.”
“So I think it’d be highly unlikely that we would see De Gea coming back to Old Trafford.”
“I think the player is happy at Fiorentina.”
“Obviously, De Gea is now 34, coming into the twilight of his career.”
“It’d be a massive surprise to see them turn their attentions to their former keeper.”
We believe that United made the right decision not to bring De Gea back. No matter how great a player he has been for the club, signing him again would not be a good investment given his age and current circumstances. Fans’ love for the Spaniard is absolutely justified, but sometimes that love makes us ignore reality.
Now De Gea is happy and playing at Fiorentina suits him, so it is pointless to hope for his return. Amorim should focus on a new goalkeeper who can bring a strong challenge to Onana. However, if the club feel that improvements in defence and midfield are needed first, Onana could be given another season, but in any case, United need to look to the future and not dwell on the past. We don’t have many options for the goalkeeping position, but Senne Lammens is the one that United are going for to secure the future.