David de Gea is currently a free agent for the first time in his career, 12 years after signing for Manchester United.
The goalkeeper is still in talks over a reduced-terms renewal, although there is no guarantee he will be next season’s No.1 after Erik ten Hag refused to confirm so. Inter have also disclosed that United have lodged an interest in Andre Onana.
The 27-year-old worked under Ten Hag at Ajax and is considered to be more comfortable with the ball at feet than De Gea. The latter won the Premier League Golden Glove for a second time last season.
However, several mistakes over the past year have proved costly, including errors against Sevilla and West Ham. Many felt he should have done better for Ilkay Gundogan’s winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City too.
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The 32-year-old has been a loyal servant to United and was one of the few players who could keep his head high after the disastrous 2021/22 season. While Ten Hag may wish to bring in a more modern-trained ‘keeper but there is still a possibility De Gea stays.
He travelled back to home city Madrid in February 2022 when United faced former club Atletico in the Champions League last-16. Ahead of the tie, he explained his affection for Manchester despite his ties to the Spanish capital.
"Now I feel as if I'm from Manchester; I just feel like anyone else from Manchester,” he said. "Where you are loved and welcomed is your home.
"I've been here for many years and, obviously, anything can happen in life, in the world of football, but honestly, I don't see myself away from Manchester United.”
If a club doesn’t want you then that bond breaks down quickly. However, Ten Hag says he still wants De Gea at United despite potentially stripping his first-choice status.
“We want him to stay and we want him to extend his contract,” he said following his mistake against West Ham in May.
“He has the most clean sheets in the Premier League, so we would not be in this position without him. So he has fully my belief, no concerns, that happens but as a team you have to deal with it, you have to show character, be resilient and bounce back and this team will do.”
Later that month, he added: "I will not say he’ll [De Gea] always be my No.1, because in a club like Manchester United there must be competition in all positions.” So De Gea knows where he stands - wanted but not necessarily prioritised.
Players still competing at the highest level rarely accept a salary reduction at the same club but if De Gea does pen such a deal, his affection towards Manchester and United could partly explain why.
