The Spanish David de Gea will leave Manchester United, after not renewing his contract with the English club. “It’s time to go for another challenge. Manchester will always be in my heart,” the player published today.
De Gea, 32, is leaving United after twelve years in which he won one Premier League, two League Cups, one FA Cup and one Europa League, as well as being honored three times with the Matt Busby award, which recognizes United’s best player of the season.
The man from Illescas ended his contract on June 30 and, despite the fact that he had been in talks to renew it for many months, he has not reached an agreement with the club, which asked him for a considerable reduction in his salary.
As reported by The Athletic, United offered him a first contract with a lower salary than De Gea had and, once the Spaniard accepted, the club backed down and offered him a smaller salary.
This provoked protests from the goalkeeper, who posted a bored emoticon, showing his frustration with the club where he has spent the last twelve seasons of his sports career.
“I would like to send this farewell message to all Manchester United fans. I would like to express my gratitude for the love you have given me over the last twelve years. We have achieved a lot since my dear Alex Ferguson brought me to this club. “It has produced a lot of pride every time I have put on this shirt and represent this institution, the greatest in the world. It has been an unforgettable period. I never thought when I left Madrid that we would achieve all this”, explained the Spaniard.
“Now it’s time to go for another challenge. Manchester will always be in my heart,” he added.
De Gea leaves with 545 games played for United and two Gold Gloves won in the Premier League. He is free and will be able to negotiate with any club.
