David de Gea bids farewell to Manchester United after 12 seasons | Football News – Times of India

Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea has officially departed from Manchester United, ending his 12-year tenure at the Premier League club. Following the expiration of his contract on June 30, De Gea took to social media to express his gratitude to the fans in a heartfelt farewell message.
The 32-year-old shot-stopper, who joined Manchester United in 2011 during the era of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, held the distinction of being the club’s longest-serving player in the current squad, amassing an impressive tally of nearly 550 appearances.
De Gea’s Instagram post read, “I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters. 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.”

During his time at Old Trafford, De Gea secured numerous accolades, including winning the Premier League in his second season with the club, which coincided with Ferguson’s final campaign as manager. Additionally, he clinched the League Cup, FA Cup, and Europa League titles.
The Spanish goalkeeper’s exceptional performances also earned him the prestigious Golden Glove award for most clean sheets in a season, a feat he achieved twice. His second Golden Glove came in the 2022-23 season when Manchester United finished third in the Premier League and qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
However, De Gea faced scrutiny and criticism in recent years due to perceived shortcomings and occasional errors on the pitch. Despite being one of the highest-paid players at Manchester United, as reported by British media, he had not represented Spain since 2020.

Rumours have already begun swirling about potential replacements, with Manchester United being linked to Inter Milan’s goalkeeper Andre Onana. The club’s management is expected to explore options to fill the void left by De Gea’s departure.
Reflecting on his time at the club, De Gea remarked, “It’s been an unforgettable and successful period since I came here. I didn’t think from leaving Madrid as a young boy we would achieve what we did together. Now, it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge, to push myself again in new surroundings.”
(With inputs from Reuters)