Twitter reacts to David de Gea's Man Utd exit
- Man Utd goalkeeper David de Gea has left the club after 12 years
- Fans were quick to remember the Spaniard's eight trophies and record-breaking clean sheet tally after he confirmed his departure
After 12 years, eight trophies and a record number of clean sheets, David de Gea has called time on his Manchester United career.
De Gea won the Premier League Golden Glove in what proved to be his final campaign at Old Trafford but his distribution raised doubts over his suitability to Erik ten Hag's preferred approach. Ultimately, United and De Gea could not agree on a new contract and the 32-year-old has left the club on a free transfer.
I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters.
— David de Gea (@D_DeGea) July 8, 2023
I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years. We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club. I took incredible… pic.twitter.com/6R7ezOEf1E
While De Gea has been the subject of widespread mockery throughout his Manchester United career - adding to the pile of erroneous blunders this season - the overwhelming reaction to his departure was a recognition of his success between the posts.
👕 415 #PL appearances
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 8, 2023
🧤 147 clean sheets
🏆 2012/13 PL title winner
David De Gea leaves as a @ManUtd legend 👏 pic.twitter.com/bPrV8pW9Sb
🚨🚨🎙️| Eric Steele: “I can only remember Sir Alex Ferguson missing two United matches. He missed a Manchester derby in 2000 for his son’s wedding. The other time? To scout the brilliant David de Gea.”
— centredevils. (@centredevils) July 8, 2023
A special player, @D_DeGea ❤️🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/cZ6EZHCxdh
David de Gea is a club legend, thanks for everything pic.twitter.com/UMTMtIBiug
— Aidan Walsh 🔰 (@AidanWalshMUFC) July 8, 2023
You’ve given us so many memories. Those saves, those moments will forever linger in my memory. You’ve been a great servant of this amazing club but now is the time to say goodbye. You left when the applause was high. @D_DeGea
— Kofi Apply (@Kofi_Akwaboah) July 8, 2023
We’ll miss DDG. Don’t particularly like saying goodbye to players who’s served and gave their best for the club. Not in this kind of fashion. Its David De Gea, he deserves a better farewell experience from the club.
— 10 (@westendkayy) July 8, 2023
De Gea won every domestic trophy available during his time at Manchester United and was part of the squad that lifted the Europa League in 2017 under Jose Mourinho - even if the Portuguese manager memorably joked that backup goalkeeper Sergio Romero was a better player.
However, De Gea's role in United's final Premier League title victory under Sir Alex Ferguson a decade ago - which remains the club's most recent top-flight crown - was swiftly cited as his most significant achievement.
David De Gea was the only remaining player from Manchester United's last title winning side.
— Squawka (@Squawka) July 8, 2023
The end of an era. 🙁 pic.twitter.com/hsCyjlCJxB
David de Gea was the last remaining player that Sir Alex signed at United.
— Paul, Manc Bald and Bred (@MufcWonItAll) July 8, 2023
An era has officially come to an end. pic.twitter.com/4W0IsTzPLs
In the wake of De Gea's departure, there is no player in Manchester United's squad that has ever won the Premier League with the Red Devils.
However, for all the good will that quickly flooded social media, there were some on-lookers that questioned whether De Gea should have been allowed to stay at Old Trafford for as long as he did.
David de Gea will go down as one of Manchester United's great goalkeepers. Genuinely world class for several seasons. It is an immense shame that club indecision led to unsustainable wages and a farcical departure that, in truth, should probably have come several seasons earlier.
— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) July 8, 2023
De Gea’s gone. It was the right time to go but he should have been given a proper send off. Sad that it had to be like this. At one point the best keeper in the world, did things I’ve never seen other keepers do. He just couldn’t get out of the 6 yard box. Onana time #MUFC
— Qaid (@Qaid89) July 8, 2023
De Gea's original contract, worth around £375,000 per week, expired at the end of June but he agreed to a new deal on almost half of that salary. However, the club withdrew their offer in a farcical series of events that soured future discussions between the two parties.
As great a servant as David de Gea has been, leaving at the end of his contract was ALWAYS the right move.
— Scott Saunders (@__scottsaunders) July 8, 2023
He cannot provide what United need in goal any more - the position has changed too much.
Nothing personal, just business. Wish him all the best.
Bruno is absolutely spot on here. This is the saddest part of De Gea leaving. I hope the club find a way of bringing him back for a game so he gets a proper send-off pic.twitter.com/LhAUnCzk07
— Si Lloyd (@SmnLlyd5) July 8, 2023
This is, after all, the internet and so some fans of opposition teams took De Gea's departure as an opportune moment to reminisce about some of the gaffs that have plagued the keeper's career.
Thank you David De Gea. You will be missed 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/X3WmVTqrkz
— 17 (@DxBruyneSZN) July 8, 2023
On this edition of The Promised Land, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders and Rob Blanchette discuss why Manchester United want Andre Onana to be their new goalkeeper. If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!
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