Manchester United could be about to shock the football world with a sensational transfer twist. Reports suggest the Red Devils are “exploring” a move to bring back legendary goalkeeper David de Gea.
De Gea spent 12 years at Old Trafford, playing 545 matches and becoming one of the club’s most trusted shot-stoppers. He won the Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League, and two League Cups before leaving in 2023.
When Erik ten Hag decided not to renew his contract, United turned to Andre Onana. The Cameroon international was seen as the modern goalkeeper who could help United build from the back. But his time in Manchester has been full of ups and downs.
De Gea, meanwhile, moved on and found new life in Italy. After a year as a free agent, he signed with Fiorentina in 2024. The Spaniard impressed right away, helping the club finish sixth in Serie A and qualify for the Conference League. His performances were so strong that Fiorentina gave him a new contract until 2028.
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But here’s the twist: that contract reportedly includes a special release clause. According to The Sun, this clause allows him to leave for a “relatively small sum.” For Manchester United, this opens the door to a possible reunion.
Fans got a taste of what that might look like recently. Fiorentina visited Old Trafford for a pre-season friendly, and De Gea returned to the stadium he once called home. The emotional scenes told their own story.
United captain Bruno Fernandes presented De Gea with a framed picture to honor his service. The goalkeeper responded with heartfelt words on social media:
“A magical moment for me and my family to come back to Old Trafford, my home. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the reception and all the love you showed me. To the supporters who never stopped being with me, our paths may cross again.”
Those words hit deep. Were they just a message of love to the fans, or was De Gea hinting at unfinished business?
At the same time, pressure has been mounting on Andre Onana. Since joining from Inter Milan, he has conceded 148 goals in two seasons. While some of those were due to United’s shaky defense, many supporters believe he hasn’t fully convinced.
New boss Ruben Amorim added fuel to the fire with his latest comments. Ahead of United’s clash with Arsenal, Amorim said:
“Andre is like the other players. They all have to win their place. I won’t say who is number one. He’s ready for the game, but let’s wait. Me as a coach, and the players, can do better than last year. I have full confidence in that.”
For a goalkeeper, that’s a warning shot. Onana may no longer be the automatic first choice. If United really do make a move for De Gea, his future could be in serious doubt.
Interestingly, while Amorim and the board have invested heavily in attack this summer, the goalkeeper position has not been strengthened. More than £200 million has been spent on Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha. A young full-back, Diego Leon, has also been signed. But there’s been no major investment between the sticks.
This makes the De Gea rumors even stronger. United wouldn’t need to pay a huge transfer fee, and they’d get a proven leader who knows the club inside out.
The big question is: would De Gea actually want to return? In Italy, he has become a key figure for Fiorentina. At 34, he’s not the long-term solution, but he could still give United two or three strong years at the top level.
Supporters remain divided. Some believe the club should look forward, not backward. Others argue that De Gea never should have been pushed out in the first place.
If he does come back, it would be one of the most dramatic transfer stories of the summer. A hero’s return, a second chance, and maybe, the stability United desperately need in goal.
De Gea’s post at Old Trafford, “our paths may cross again”, may have been emotional, but it might also have been prophetic.
For Andre Onana, it’s crunch time. He must prove he is the man for United, or risk watching his predecessor walk back through the same doors he exited just two years ago.
One thing is clear: the goalkeeper battle at Manchester United is no longer settled. And with Amorim’s warning ringing in Onana’s ears, the coming weeks could change everything.
