New Delhi: Many supporters have been asking themselves this question ever since the surprise departure of the Spanish goalkeeper from Manchester United one year ago. Before the team changed their minds and parted ways with their long-serving No. 1, The Athletic had claimed at the time that De Gea had signed an extension.
Over the course of his 12-year tenure at United, De Gea made 545 appearances, ranking sixth all-time. In his final season with United, he won his second Premier League Golden Glove; however, he hasn’t had a club since. The Spaniard also has a total of 45 caps for his country as he has been a part of some major international tournaments. However, his final appearance, in the 2023 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City, was 417 days ago.
He has a history of being mysterious on social media as a couple of days prior to his departure from United being revealed, he shared an emoji of a juggling boy. He appeared to be referencing rumors about his future when he made a yawning face on social media the previous month. However, in the first few months, certain sources suggested that De Gea might consider a retirement after all.
Initial problems with the board
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM – MARCH 9: (L-R) coach Erik Ten Hag of Manchester United, David de Gea of Manchester United celebrating the victroy during the UEFA Europa League match between Manchester United v Real Betis Sevilla at the Old Trafford Stadium on March 9, 2023 in Manchester United Kingdom (Photo by Soccrates/Getty Images)
De Gea was furious with manager Erik ten Hag and the team’s then-football director, John Murtough, whom he blamed for his exit. De Gea even confided in his close friends that if those two people left United, he would be more than happy to come back. After unwinding and taking a break from the game, De Gea realized he missed football and began preparing for a comeback. For tax considerations, he chose to remain in Manchester until the end of 2023 instead of going back to Spain.
The Manchester United connection
He stopped considering retirement and began working out three or four times a week with a goalkeeping coach Richard Hartis, who was United’s goalkeeping coordinator until last week. De Gea’s Instagram page clearly shows that he is still in communication with his teammates and other United staff members. Bruno Fernandes and Juan Mata, two of his former teammates, also possess interests in Rebels Gaming, an esports team he controls.
LEIGH, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 10: David de Gea, former Manchester United goalkeeper watches from the stand during the UEFA Women’s Champions League Qualifying Second Round match between Manchester United Women and Paris Saint-Germain Feminines at Leigh Sports Village on October 10, 2023 in Leigh, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
He attended United’s October Women’s Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain at Leigh Sports Village, but he hasn’t been back to Old Trafford or the team’s Carrington training facility since his departure.
Hinting a comeback?
Loading… pic.twitter.com/AOggAIRZoy
— David de Gea (@D_DeGea) May 16, 2024
He has merged playing padel, one of his favorite pastimes and a few hours a week commitment, with physical and goalkeeper-specific conditioning. De Gea had his training in Manchester, and in April, the Spaniard was even spotted working alone at Altrincham, a non-League team situated in the market town outside of the city. He has worked in his hometown of Illescas, a village in the neighboring province of Toledo, and has utilized the facilities of the Spanish Football Federation in Las Rozas, Madrid.
De Gea is currently handled during transfer windows by obscure lawyer Jose Carlos Bouzas, who was previously represented by Portuguese “super agent” Jorge Mendes. With the assistance of a trustworthy advisor and buddy, he runs his business. He preferred working with his close group over a specialized agency, De Gea ended his relationship with Mendes. His search for a new team slowed down due to the connections that professional agents have.
SHANGHAI, CHINA – JANUARY 18: (CHINA OUT) Portuguese football agent Jorge Mendes attends Gestifute and FOYO strategic partnership press conference at Shangri-La Hotel on January 18, 2016 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Visual China Group via Getty Images/Visual China Group via Getty Images)
In the next few days, he intends to disclose the news of his new club and have his future sorted out. His top priorities are a club and a location that will provide him and his family, including their daughter Yanay and wife Edurne, a well-known singer in Spain, stability. Though he may decide to remain in Europe, the West Coast of the United States is his ideal location. Spain, where he began his career with Atletico Madrid in 2009, has not made any offers to him, and according to people close to him, he has no plans to play for any other English team but United.
De Gea’s options are still open, but this move will end his year-long absence from competition for someone who was once regarded as one of Europe’s best goalkeepers.
How has David De Gea been ever since he left Manchester United? Is the Spaniard hinting a comeback after more than a year’s absence from football? Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
