Shock Man Utd comeback: Star forced out by Ten Hag can make triumphant return

Imre Himmelbauer

Updated: 3 Apr 2025 00:21 CDT
3 min read

Manchester United are ready to welcome David de Gea back to Old Trafford.

The Spaniard was released by former manager Erik ten Hag in the summer of 2023 after a dispute over a new contract in a move that prompted Andre Onana to sign.

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Current ETV

David De Gea

Fiorentina

David De Gea

Fiorentina

ETV Range

€1.8M - €2.7M

After a year out of the game, De Gea hooked up with Fiorentina last summer and has been a revelation in Serie A.

And now United could welcome him back to the Theatre of Dreams, according to the Spanish media, with Onana have struggled to show a consistently high level since arriving in a deal worth more than €50m from Inter Milan.

Man Utd board under pressure to re-sign De Gea

Onana’s form means that the goalkeeping position has been one of Ruben Amorim’s major concerns at Man Utd. The statistics of the former Ajax goalkeeper speak for themselves: 137 goals conceded in 92 games, plus several crucial errors that have cost the Red Devils points.

With criticism mounting over Onana, who was brought in on the recommendation of Ten Hag, De Gea has suddenly come back into the picture. The 45-time Spain international left in the summer of 2023 after a soap opera. Just as it seemed he would sign a new contract with the club, talks broke down at the last minute when Man Utd withdrew the deal. De Gea then elected to leave as a free agent.

© IMAGO - David de Gea has been in excellent form at Fiorentina

De Gea has enjoyed a renaissance with Fiorentina. In 30 games, he has conceded only 32 goals while he has kept an impressive 10 clean sheets.

This form, coupled with a contract that runs until the end of the season, has opened the door to a potential return at Man Utd.

His form is putting pressure on the Man Utd board to make a decision. It quickly became apparent that it was a mistake to allow the experienced goalkeeper to depart, with De Gea having conceded 1.08 goals per game while at Old Trafford, compared to Onana’s average of 1.49.