Man Utd look to resign former 'player of season' let go on free transfer

Manchester United are reportedly weighing up a sensational move to bring David de Gea back to Old Trafford in the summer transfer window, acknowledging that letting him leave in 2023 was a costly error.

The Spaniard, who spent 12 years with the club before departing as a free agent, could return to replace the struggling Andre Onana, according to sources close to the Red Devils.

De Gea, now 34, left United in July 2023 after over 500 appearances and a legacy as one of the club’s greatest-ever goalkeepers.

His exit came under Erik ten Hag’s watch, with the Dutch manager opting to sign Onana from Inter Milan for £47 million to usher in a new era of possession-based football.

owever, Onana’s tenure has been marred by high-profile mistakes, and with new boss Ruben Amorim now in charge, the club appears ready to reassess its goalkeeping options.

Sources suggest United’s hierarchy has been stung by De Gea’s resurgence at Fiorentina, where he’s kept seven clean sheets this season and maintained a save percentage of over 72%, outpacing Onana’s 65% in the Premier League.

The Cameroonian goalkeeper, once hailed for his ball-playing ability, has made several errors leading to goals in the 2024-25 campaign, fueling fan frustration and prompting internal discussions about a change.

“United are seriously considering making a move to bring David de Gea back,” a source told Football365. “The feeling is that letting him go was a mistake, especially seeing how he’s performing in Serie A. Onana hasn’t lived up to expectations, and with De Gea potentially available as a free agent again, it’s an opportunity they can’t ignore.”

De Gea’s departure was controversial at the time, with many questioning why United didn’t renew his contract despite his consistent shot-stopping prowess.

Ten Hag’s preference for Onana was rooted in the latter’s distribution skills, honed under him at Ajax, but the 28-year-old has struggled to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity.

Recent reports indicate Amorim is unconvinced by Onana, and the club’s 14th-place standing in the league has only heightened the urgency to act.

The prospect of De Gea’s return has divided fans. Some see it as a chance to right a wrong, with one supporter posting on X, “Getting rid of De Gea for Onana was the biggest mistake we ever made as a club.”

Others argue it’s a step backward, pointing to De Gea’s own decline in his final United seasons and his limited ability with the ball at his feet—precisely what prompted his exit.

If United pursue this move, it could also signal a shift in strategy under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s influence. The INEOS chief has been critical of past transfer decisions, and bringing back a club legend on a free transfer might appeal as a cost-effective fix. However, competition could complicate matters—Fiorentina may yet extend De Gea’s deal, and other European clubs have been linked with the veteran keeper.

For now, United’s goalkeeping saga remains unresolved. Whether De Gea dons the red shirt again or Onana gets a reprieve, the summer of 2025 promises to be pivotal for a club desperate to reclaim its former glory.