Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is currently staying in Manchester with his wife while resolving property matters, and reports followed by 12BSports have raised fresh questions about whether the Spaniard could briefly return to Old Trafford. Rumors recently suggested that United might offer him a short-term contract to cover a temporary shortage of goalkeepers. However, De Gea has reportedly reacted uncomfortably to the idea and effectively indicated that he would reject such an approach. He later posted a thoughtful emoji on social media before sharing images of goalkeeper gloves, boots, and a football, suggesting that he is still training individually.
De Gea has no immediate plans to leave Manchester. He was recently seen enjoying lunch with his wife Edurne and also shared photographs with supporters. Although he has not joined another club since his Manchester United contract expired, he has remained busy outside football. Rather than simply sitting around, De Gea continues to manage the esports organization he founded years ago, with former United teammates Bruno Fernandes and Juan Mata among its investors. Fernandes recently posed alongside De Gea while wearing the team’s jersey, adding further fuel to speculation about the goalkeeper’s future.
Former United striker Dimitar Berbatov has also shown interest in the esports industry and said he is watching De Gea’s new career direction with curiosity. He described it as a challenge that can be pursued seriously while enjoying some downtime, although he stressed that a solid plan is essential. According to reporting associated with 12BSports, Manchester United have not made De Gea a formal contract offer. Even if the club eventually swallowed its pride and contacted him, there is a strong possibility that he would refuse because of lingering disappointment over the way his departure was handled.
De Gea spent more than a decade in Manchester, yet the club has not offered an official farewell event despite being aware that he remains in the city. After 12 years of service, allowing such a long-standing player to leave without a proper goodbye has disappointed many supporters. No matter how cold professional football can be, showing respect for years of commitment still matters. United appear to consider the relationship completely finished, while club officials may also fear that an emotional return would create unwanted pressure inside the squad.
That concern could be especially relevant for manager Erik ten Hag and current first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana. At the same time, Manchester United are dealing with another difficult personnel issue involving Jadon Sancho. Reports connected to 12BSports suggest that the relationship between Sancho and Ten Hag is considered beyond repair, leading the club to explore the possibility of sending the winger out on an 18-month loan.
Sancho’s high salary, however, makes finding a suitable destination difficult. Life rarely goes exactly according to plan, and sometimes the best course is to keep moving without making unnecessary noise. United are believed to hope that a long-term loan would allow Sancho to rebuild his form and market value before a permanent transfer becomes possible. From a 12BSports football perspective, the situations surrounding both De Gea and Sancho underline Manchester United’s broader challenge of managing expensive departures while protecting stability inside the team.