David de Gea spotted training at English non-league club

Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has been keeping himself fit by using facilities belonging to National League club Altrincham, hinting he could soon return to football.

De Gea left Old Trafford as a free agent last summer after contract talks failed to yield a new deal, remaining without a club ever since as he weighs up his next move.

The former Spain No.1, still only 33 and arguably in the peak years for a goalkeeper's career, has now spent close to a year out of the professional game.

De Gea has continued training throughout that time. On Friday night, he posted a video on Instagram as he was put to work on a routine testing his reflexes and handling.

It was filmed at Altrincham's J. Davidson Stadium and shared to his 15.5m followers with the caption: "We remember. We rebuild. We come back stronger."

Earlier in the week, an Instagram story that has since expired showed similar training exercises and a graphic that read, 'Loading'.

Fifth tier Altrincham have been non-league throughout their 133-year history, most famous for an FA Cup record of 17 giant-killings against football league sides. But the Robins are in just their second ever season as a professional outfit and will imminently contest the National League play-offs.

There is no suggestion that De Gea is about to join what was actually his local club during 12 years as a United player after making his home in the affluent south Manchester town. But the wording of the caption, as well as the video being set to AC/DC's Back in Black at least hinted at a long-awaited return to football in some capacity in the relatively near future.

During the past ten months, De Gea has repeatedly resisted interest from the Saudi Pro League. Ex-United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo hoped to lure him to Al Nassr, while Al Shabab was also an option. In Europe, Bayern Munich showed brief interest in their search for additional cover, while Real Madrid were another to touch base when Thibaut Courtois got injured.

De Gea has also pursued interests outside of football, notably with his esports team, Rebels Gaming.

He had been close to securing a new contract with United at the end of last season, even signing a proposed deal worth £200,000 per week. But the offer, nearly a 50% reduction to his previous salary, was ultimately withdrawn before the club's signature was inked on the paperwork.

That was then replaced by another proposal with even more of a pay cut that was being considered from the player’s side, although he was left upset by how the process was handled. Within a few weeks of De Gea officially becoming a free agent, United spent big on Andre Onana, whose ability to play with his feet was seen as a better fit for the style Erik ten Hag wanted to implement.

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