David de Gea departed Manchester United last summer amidst prolonged speculation, but reports indicated he was willing to consider a comeback under specific conditions.
The Spanish goalkeeper, 33, spent over a decade at Old Trafford after being signed by Sir Alex Ferguson, but his tenure came to an end during Erik ten Hag’s first season as manager, following protracted contract negotiations.
Since then, De Gea has been linked with several clubs and was even rumored to potentially return to United to provide cover during the Africa Cup of Nations for Andre Onana.
Get Instantly Update By: Joining Our Whatapps and Telegram Channel
According to The Athletic, De Gea would have entertained the idea of returning to United, but only if both Ten Hag and former football director John Murtough were no longer in charge. It was reported that De Gea expressed discontent with Ten Hag and Murtough, holding them responsible for his departure.
Despite spending the entire 2023/24 season as a free agent, changes occurred at Old Trafford with Sir Jim Ratcliffe acquiring a minority stake in the club. This was followed by Murtough announcing his departure in April after 11 years of service in various roles.
While Ten Hag’s future seemed uncertain after overseeing a disappointing Premier League campaign resulting in an eighth-place finish, he was ultimately retained by Manchester United’s new football leadership team. His contract has since been extended until the summer of 2026.
With Ten Hag still at the helm, De Gea’s potential return to United appears unlikely. The report also indicates that he has no intention of playing for another Premier League team, despite rejecting offers from Saudi Arabia and Europe.