Comment: Is it a good thing that David de Gea is leaving Manchester United? The best choice for both sides!

Manchester United have been negotiating a new contract for David de Gea for a long time, but in the end the two sides could not reach an agreement and the Spanish goalkeeper is leaving Old Trafford after 12 years. His next steps may well be to Saudi Arabia.

Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly only missed a Manchester United game twice in his life. Once because of his son’s wedding and the second time because he went to watch the talented Spaniard.

The Atlético Madrid alumnus left the Spanish capital in the summer of 2011, when Manchester United cost then 25 million euros. A staggering sum for a young goalkeeper, but de Gea offered great potential, which he also managed to fulfil.

From dream to hell

Everything looked great, de Gea was catching regularly and in the 2012/13 season he celebrated his first league title with the Red Devils. But who knew it would be the last. Apart from domestic trophies and two Europa League championships, the Spanish goalkeeper with excellent reflexes didn’t win any more, which of course was practically unimaginable at the time he left Old Trafford.

De Gea, like many of his teammates at the club, had literally eaten up bad results that no one even remembered anymore. The coaches were reeling, as were the star players, but fundamental change was not coming.

The Spanish goalkeeper himself was at one point considered one of the best in the world and had one foot in Real Madrid. But the English club backed out at the last minute and kept their star.

Manchester United only managed to kick-start the club when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the reins, although many English pundits pointed out that it wouldn’t last, which was eventually confirmed, so he gave the club back some sort of confidence in a better tomorrow.

The day de Gea lost his footing

But the definitive turnaround came only under current coach Erik ten Hag, at least in terms of on-field performances. But the Dutch coach’s style is not to the 189 cm tall goalkeeper’s liking.

Modern football puts a lot of emphasis on footwork, even for goalkeepers, which de Gea cannot identify with. Especially under pressure, when the Red Devils players have to combine from their own half, as we see in Manchester City, Arsenal and other top teams, big problems arise, which often lead to a goal that is largely due to the Spanish goalkeeper.

That is why a change was expected and it has come. De Gea, however, was not considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world during his prime for nothing. His amazing reflex saves, especially on the goal line, took every football fan’s breath away and saved Manchester United many a point.

But now it is clear that de Gea is leaving Manchester United after 12 years. His place should be taken by Inter’s Andre Onana, who should become the new number one. This is despite the fact that it was long believed that Dean Henderson would become the main goalkeeper.

The Spanish goalkeeper certainly deserves a big round of applause for all these years. The 32-year-old goalkeeper has certainly got a lot to offer to many other clubs. It is now up to the player himself to decide whether he still wants to earn money or try to gain some sporting success, which he would undoubtedly deserve.

Source: Transfermarkt, Manchester United, Sky Sports