When Manchester United sacked Erik ten Hag in October 2024, the players sent their condolences to the Dutch strategist.
Bruno Fernandes wrote: "Thank you for everything. I appreciate the trust and the moments we shared. Wishing you all the best for the future.
Although the past period has not been very favorable for anyone, I hope fans will remember the positive things he has done for the club.
Alejandro Garnacho shared: "I will always be grateful that he gave me the opportunity and confidence to play for this club. Things didn't go as expected, but I will always remember the great times we had together. And I wish you all the best."
Meanwhile, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez and many other players have also expressed their gratitude to Ten Hag.
However, a former "Red Devils" player reacted in a different way. About three hours after Man United announced the sacking of Ten Hag, David de Gea appeared on social media. He did not write anything, just posted an emojis of his back folded hand - a familiar gesture in Italy to express skepticism or dissatisfaction.
It is impossible to say for sure what De Gea is thinking, or whether he is referring to Ten Hag or not. However, this move is inevitably understood as a celebration of the Dutch coach's departure. And with the way Ten Hag treated De Gea, who can blame him?
The friendly match between Man United and Fiorentina tonight (Vietnam time) will mark the first time De Gea has returned to Old Trafford since a bitter farewell.
This will be an opportunity for the Spanish goalkeeper to say a true farewell to fans, after leaving in the summer of 2023 without being officially honored.
In addition to regrets about how Man United treated one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the team, the stands will certainly resonate with the thought that Man United should have kept De Gea instead of suddenly replacing him with Andre Onana.
However, it is important that fans put aside their nostalgic lenses and admit: the club was completely right at the end of the De Gea era, just that they had chosen the wrong successor.
It has been two years since De Gea left Old Trafford, and to be fair, Man United's goalkeeper position has since become much less stable than the 12 years he has held the goal.
Finally, the Spanish goalkeeper will also receive a welcome worthy of his long period of dedication and regularly shining. This is the period of time when he received a generous salary of up to 375,000 pounds/week from 2019 to 2023.
Although his farewell was somewhat regrettable, it was still the right time to end the De Gea era. The problem is that Onana is not the ideal choice to replace him.
Man United fans who were impatient with De Gea in the 2022-2023 season now have a desire to return, especially as the disappointment of his successor Onana is growing.
The Cameroonian goalkeeper was once hailed as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He even received compliments from Pep Guardiola before the Champions League final between Inter Milan and Man City.
However, since Man United spent £47 million to bring him back two years ago, the benefits of Onana's ball distribution ability have not been really exploited. On the contrary, he has repeatedly disappointed with uncertain saves.
