DAVID DE GEA was ready to re-join Manchester United if Erik ten Hag left, but is now set to join another club, according to reports.
The Spanish goalkeeper is gearing up for a return to the pitch after taking a year-long break in the wake of his United release last summer.
The shot-stopper left Old Trafford when his contract expired after the 2022/23 campaign, bringing to an end a 12-year stay at Old Trafford.
De Gea – a United and Premier League icon – didn’t receive the send-off he deserved as his future wasn’t clear while the season was ongoing.
The Spaniard was upset with those he held responsible for his departure.
Namely manager Erik ten Hag and the club’s then-football director John Murtough.
De Gea even told his inner circle that he would be happy to return to United if those two figures were no longer there, according to The Athletic.
But Ten Hag will remain manager for a third season after INEOS concluded their month-long search for potential successors.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s group oversaw the exit of Murtough, who has since been replaced by Newcastle United’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth.
Murtough is one of several high-ranking executives to have departed Old Trafford, including chief executive Richard Arnold.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Omar Berrada left Manchester City to replace Arnold, while Jason Wilcox has been appointed technical director and Christopher Vivell is United’s new director of global talent.
While De Gea is set to announce his new club shortly, he is highly unlikely to return to Old Trafford even after Murtough’s exit.
He trains three to four times a week with a goalkeeping coach recommended by Richard Hartis, who held that role at United until last week.
The Spaniard teased an announcement on Saturday when he tweeted an hourglass emoji, although there was no more information on the social media post.
De Gea has a string of options available to him, including clubs in Saudi Arabia, America and Italy, reports The Athletic.
His preferred option in the United States would be on the West Coast, but there is a chance he will stay in Europe.
De Gea made 545 appearances for United, placing him seventh on their all-time list.
