David de Gea set social media abuzz on Tuesday when he posted a picture revealing his presence in Manchester.
The iconic Manchester United goalkeeper bid farewell to the club in the summer after a remarkable 12-year tenure, when his contract concluded.
United had the option to extend De Gea’s contract by another year, but they chose not to exercise it earlier in 2023 as they sought to negotiate a renewed contract at reduced wages.
De Gea expressed his desire to remain with Manchester United. However, a series of high-profile and costly errors in pivotal matches prompted a change in plans from Erik ten Hag, who opted to acquire a new goalkeeper.
This decision led to De Gea’s eventual release, with Andre Onana stepping in to take his place.
The beginning of Onana’s tenure at United has been far from ideal, marked by numerous embarrassing errors.
He has allowed shots that should have been saved to find the net, and his distribution has been erratic, contradicting the very purpose of his signing, which was to provide an upgrade on De Gea.
Despite being out of work for three months, De Gea has yet to secure a new club. Consequently, he remains a free agent, available for a cost-free signing, fueling speculation and debate.
De Gea, aged 32, shared an Instagram post on Tuesday, revealing his location at a padel court in Manchester.
This announcement sparked discussions on social media, with many supporters expressing their desire for Manchester United to re-sign De Gea on a short-term deal until the end of the season, especially in light of Onana’s early struggles with the team.
There have even been unverified suggestions regarding the purpose of De Gea’s presence in Manchester.
The Daily Mail reported that De Gea returned to the city on Monday after spending the summer in Madrid, with the intention of “spending a few days sorting out the house in Hale,” where he had resided for the past 12 years before leaving the club.
Nevertheless, fans remain divided on the idea of the club reacquiring De Gea, with opinions split on the matter.