David de Gea shows true colours with admission over difficult Man Utd exit

David de Gea insists he does not hold a grudge with Manchester United over the manner in which he left the club back in the summer of 2023.

The veteran goalkeeper, 34, spent 12 years at Old Trafford and was in talks to extend his stay further before Erik ten Hag, the club's former manager, decided he wanted to sign a new keeper. De Gea was subsequently releasedwith the club declining to take up a one year option in the Spaniard's contract.

The decision to part ways with De Gea - plus the way it was handled - massively divided opinion at the time.

But De Gea, who played at Old Trafford in a pre-season friendly for his new club, Fiorentina, on Saturday, said there is no bad blood with United when he was asked if he was disappointed over the circumstances of his exit.

"No. Sometimes football is like it is, you can't control everything," he replied.

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"I've been here [Manchester United] 12 years, very, very nice, it's one of the best periods of my life. Playing for this club is just unbelievable, especially when you leave the club, you realise how big is the club, how difficult it was to be 12 years in a club like United. I'm always grateful for this club, for everyone, it's been an amazing journey.

"It's been a long time since I've been back here so it's been a special day, of course."

After making the decision to move in a different direction in the goalkeeping department, Manchester United signed Andre Onana from Inter Milan in a deal worth £47.2million.

Onana arrived with a reputation as one of Europe's top keepers but has struggled to replicate his impressive form in the Premier League, making a catalogue of high-profile errors. That in turn has led to speculation that United could move to sign a new goalkeeper this summer and several names have been linked with the Red Devils, who finished 15th last season.

While it remains to be seen if Onana will retain his spot as United's No 1, De Gea is tipping Ruben Amorim to get his former club back to where they should be in the league.

"Sometimes this is football, you can't win all the time," De Gea said. "I know it's been some years that United struggle a bit but it's one of the best clubs in the world, it's a massive club and hopefully this year with the new signings and the manager starting a new era they can do something big and that's it.

"Hopefully this year they can win something and be there where they deserve."

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