Manchester United have contacted David de Gea about a sensational return to Old Trafford, according to reports.
Ruben Amorim is not wholly convinced about his current goalkeeping options, with neither Andre Onana or Altay Bayindir inspiring confidence.
The unconvincing performances of Onana and Bayindir has led the club to consider moves for Emiliano Martinez and Gianluigi Donnarumma this summer.
United’s priority has been on attacking reinforcements, however, and the club have spent almost £200m on Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
As a result Onana looks set to start for Manchester United in their Premier League opener against Arsenal on Sunday, although Amorim has refused to confirm the Cameroon international will be between the sticks.
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‘It’s like the other players,’ Amorim said when asked if Onana would start against Arsenal. ‘Everyone has to win the place.
‘So I’m not going to say if one player is number one. He’s ready to go to the game. Let’s wait. You will know Sunday.’
Onana missed the entirety of United’s pre-season tour through injury but has regained his fitness in time for United’s opening Premier League fixture.
While moves for Martinez or Donnarumma appear unlikely, Manchester United are still considering bringing in a new goalkeeper and have made ‘discreet background calls’ about a return for De Gea.
According to The Sun, United have been ‘tipped off’ that their former No. 1 has a clause in his Fiorentina contract allowing him to leave for a ‘relatively small sum’.
De Gea spent the 2023-24 campaign as a free agent after being released by Manchester United but joined Serie A side Fiorentina this time last year.
During his 12-year spell at Old Trafford, De Gea established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history.
The Spanish veteran made over 500 appearances for the Red Devils and won the club’s Player of the Year award four times.
De Gea made an emotional return to his former club last weekend in a pre-season friendly and later posted on social media that ‘out paths may cross again’.
‘A magical moment for me and my family to come back to Old Trafford – my home,’ he said.
‘From the bottom of my heart – I want to say thank you for the reception – for all the love you showed me.
‘To the supporters that never stopped being with me throughout my time at this club. Our paths may cross again.’
Speaking last season as Onana continued to struggle in the Manchester United goal, Old Trafford hero Paul Parker said it was a ‘massive’ mistake to let De Gea leave the club.
‘Look at the goalkeeper, I think they made a massive mistake letting David de Gea go so quickly,’ he said.
‘They could have kept him there, built a team and then discussed bringing in a new goalkeeper. For me, it’s more important for a goalkeeper to use his hands rather than his feet.’
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