Ex-Man Utd star David De Gea shows he’s still got it and hints at transfer as fans say he ‘could have saved the Titanic’
FANS declared David De Gea “could have saved the Titantic” as he dropped another transfer hint on social media.
The Spanish goalie, who was part of the last title-winning Manchester United squad, has been without a club all season.
The 33-year-old exited Old Trafford as a free agent last summer after 12 years even though he won the Premier League Golden Glove last term.
United brutally released De Gea on his wedding day in June and he is still yet to sign for a new club.
The Spanish international was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and Newcastle but a switch failed to materialise.
More recent reports have emerged that he could be heading back to his homeland to join Real Betis.
De Gea has remained living in Manchester throughout his unemployment and has even been spotted cheering on United’s women this term.
He has continued to stay in shape, showing potential employers that he still possesses his capabilities by dropping a number of videos on his social media.
De Gea teased a return by issuing a three-word update on his future along with a clip of himself at work.
That footage was shot at his local non-league side Altrincham, who are in the National League, last month.
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He then shared more videos of himself in United’s training kit working on his shot stopping along with three coaches out on the grass.
Now he has posted another short clip that has teased a potential comeback.
The slow-motion footage, which was captioned with the word “Loading”, showed the ace diving full-stretch to his right to fingertip a shot from the top corner onto the post and away.
And it sent some of his fans wild as they called for his United return while also slamming Ten Hag for letting him go in the first place.
One wrote: “Brother, I think you should consider sacking your manager because how can you be jobless for a whole year with all this talent?”
Another said: “Come back to Manchester United and become backup for Onana.”
A third even declared: “The man who could have saved the Titanic.”
“Onana is good bt you were the real monster,” said another reply.
Although a couple of trolls tried to stick the boot in, with one saying: “The unemployed friend randomly on a Thursday afternoon.”
SunSport's verdict on Man Utd flops
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have a busy summer ahead to get Man Utd's squad in order for next season. Below SunSport gives it verdict on how they should deal with the Red Devils flops this summer.
Andre Onana – STAY: After a dodgy start at Old Trafford Onana has proven to be one of the more reliable members of the squad this season despite being peppered with shots constantly.
Altay Bayindir – GO: Reports in February suggested Bayindir was unhappy with his bit part role at Man Utd amid interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. If profit can be made on a sale then it should be done.
Tom Heaton – STAY: Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, 38, is a reliable back-up and is on a relatively small wage at the club. So long as he is happy it makes sense to keep him.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – GO: Wan-Bissaka, 26, has never managed to make the right-back position his own. With his contract up in 2025 it makes sense to cash in now.
Diogo Dalot – STAY: Dalot, 26, has been one of Man Utd’s most consistent performers this season.
Raphael Varane – GO: If it wasn’t for his injury record there would be a strong shout to keep Varane, but costs need to be cut to allow the squad to be freshened up.
Harry Maguire – GO: Maguire has showed he has the right character to be at Man Utd but overall ability and desired profile are another matter, with Maguire too slow to play in a high line defence.
Lisandro Martinez – STAY: Martinez, 26, is second to none in terms of build up play. He needs a long-term defensive partner on the right side and to cut out the injuries which have plagued him this season.
Jonny Evans – GO: Veteran campaigner Evans could easily be on the stay list if he was only going to be a bit part player. But he has shown his advanced years at times this season.
Victor Lindelof – GO: Lindelof, 29, has been reliable if not unremarkable in his Man Utd career. He has one year left on his contract so should be moved on if a decent transfer fee can be got for him.
Willy Kambwala – STAY: He should be given the opportunity to mature for a few years behind a senior CB pairing before stepping into the first team as a starter or being moved on.
Luke Shaw – GO: One of the Premier League’s best left-backs when fit, Shaw has been a good servant when available. But alas that has been his Achilles heel once again this season.
Tyrell Malacia – STAY: Malacia, 24, was decent enough to earn some merit in his first season at Man Utd before injury ended his season and inadvertently led to his second season being a write off.
Sofyan Amrabat – GO: Amrabat, 27, looked like a world beater at the Qatar World Cup with Morocco. But he’s had an underwhelming season in England and his loan spell will almost certainly not be made permanent.
Casemiro – GO: An alarming physical decline has seen him turn from key star to burden. If a club is willing to buy the 32-year-old – who has two more years on his contract – then United should snatch their hand off.
Christian Eriksen – GO: Eriksen proved a useful asset and Ineos should look to bring in another player with similar traits, but frankly his legs have looked gone towards the end of this season.
Kobbie Mainoo – STAY: The first of the so-called untouchables, Mainoo has been a rare glimmer of hope in the Red Devils midfield this season.
Mason Mount – STAY: Mount can be given the benefit of the doubt until summer 2025 at least after a debut season riddled with injury.
Scott McTominay – STAY: McTominay, 27, has proven himself to be a brilliant plan B off the bench this season, and that is exactly why Ineos should look to keep him.
Bruno Fernandes – STAY: Man Utd’s best player since his arrival just over four years ago, Fernandes, 29, remains second-to-none when it comes to creating chances while his tenacity boosts those around him.
Antony – GO: There’s a case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history. Despite some memorable moments he simply isn’t Man Utd quality.
Anthony Martial – GO: Ultimately Martial needs to be let go when his deal runs out this summer after an appalling injury record of late.
Marcus Rashford – STAY: As easy as it would be to say Rashford should leave the club this summer, it is difficult to look at the market and find many available players capable of scoring 30 goals a season.
Alejandro Garnacho – STAY: Another third of the untouchables trio, Garnacho has made the right-wing his own since coming into it. He’s a raw talent but has shown he has the quality to improve.
Rasmus Hojlund – STAY: A slow burner in his first Man Utd season, the 21-year-old has often been starved of supply which has led to him being unable to get the goals his movement and unselfish play often merits.
Amad Diallo – STAY: In the fleeting moments he has been on the pitch for Man Utd this season, Diallo has looked dangerous and exciting. He should be given a chance to flourish with some proper chances in the first team across a whole season.
Another said: “This is de Gea. Capable of pulling off a world class stop. 2 minutes later he kicks the ball into his own face and puts it in the back of his own net.”
While a third asked: “Are you available for Sunday league David?”
Liverpool legend Graeme Souness recently suggested that United boss Erik ten Hag made a mistake in letting the stopper leave on a free and bringing in Andre Onana.
He said: “You need to prioritise. You have to try and strengthen where you really need players.
“Did they really, really need to spend that money on a goalkeeper when they had De Gea who was still a very good goalkeeper for Man United?
“De Gea was still a top goalkeeper. Every goalkeeper will make a mistake.
Pundits' verdict on Ten Hag's future
Where do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag's Manchester United future?
Michael Owen – He has to go
“He cannot, simply cannot, manage this team next season. He’s not good enough.”
Teddy Sheringham – Might stay if he wins Cup but should go
“If United win the FA Cup, he could stay. But, for me, changes are needed and United need to get it done sooner than later.”
Jamie Carragher – Sacked
“I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
“To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
Louis Saha – On the fence
“I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
Alan Shearer – Sacked
“I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.”
“They’ve spent £70m [£47.2m] on a new goalkeeper but are they really playing any differently now, just because Onana is better on the ball?
“That money should have been spent elsewhere and been more productive. The recruitment has been pretty average.”
De Gea has also received support from United legend Edwin van der Sar on social media.
The ex-Dutch goalie recalled how he was in a similar scenario after leaving Juventus in 2001 but eventually joined Fulham before heading to Old Trafford and winning the Champions League.
In response to another training clip posted by De Gea, Van der Sar wrote: “David, keep the faith and believe as I had something similar in 2001 and look what that brought me in the end!”
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