In an announcement on their official website, Manchester United (MU) has confirmed the departure of goalkeeper David de Gea after 12 years of being with the club, during which he achieved numerous collective and individual accolades. De Gea has solidified his position as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the club's history.
On his personal page, De Gea also bid farewell to the fans, expressing his gratitude and love for the team he has played for over the past 12 years. He reflected on the success and glory they have achieved together, crediting Sir Alex Ferguson for bringing him to the club. De Gea emphasized the pride he feels every time he puts on the MU shirt and plays for the team. He concluded by stating that it is now time for him to seek a new challenge and find motivation in a different environment.
De Gea's contract with MU expired on July 1. Earlier, there were negotiations between the club and the goalkeeper regarding a reduction in his salary to £200,000 per week. However, as the negotiations progressed, MU changed its stance and requested De Gea to sign a new contract with a salary lower than £200,000 per week, which he declined.
It is rumored that coach Erik ten Hag influenced MU's decision not to renew with De Gea, as the Dutch manager is keen on bringing Andre Onana back to the main team for the upcoming season.
During his time at MU, De Gea won several major trophies, including one Premier League title, one Europa League title, one FA Cup, two League Cups, and three English Super Cups. In the 2022/23 season, he was awarded the Golden Glove in the Premier League.