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34-year-old Premier League legend ready to ‘consider’ Manchester United return

Originally posted on We All Follow United
By Rohit Sarkar | Last updated Oct 4, 2025 9:23 AM ET

Gaizka Mendieta feels David de Gea will relish the opportunity to return to Manchester United

Manchester United continue to face problems and questions over their goalkeeping. There is no end to the debate on who should be the club’s main goalkeeper. Andre Onana has already left for Turkey, and Altay Bayindir has looked reckless in between posts. The club has signed young Senne Lammens in the summer, and will depend on him as a long-term project. However, United still need an experienced goalkeeper to compete with the Belgian.

Meanwhile, former Spain international Gaizka Mendieta, speaking to OLBG, reflected on De Gea’s sudden departure in 2023 and claimed the move away from Old Trafford felt rushed. He admitted he had wanted the goalkeeper to stay and insisted De Gea himself would have preferred to remain. Mendieta pointed out that the Spaniard excelled in Serie A and won recognition as the league’s standout goalkeeper after his sabbatical. He described him as still among the best keepers internationally, and stressed that a return to Manchester United would not be out of the question.

Mendieta noted that De Gea loved his time in Manchester, valued the stature of the club, and could view a reunion positively. Yet he also underlined that De Gea has settled well in Italy, enjoying life at Fiorentina. The comeback suggestion adds a good option but also raises questions about whether United should revisit the past.

“I would have liked David de Gea to stay for sure, 100 per cent. I’m sure he would have liked to stay as well. Then that sabbatical year would not have happened. He still came back, went to Italy, and was the best goalkeeper in the Italian league. So it tells you the kind of goalkeeper that he is.

“He is still one of the best goalkeepers in Italy, probably internationally. Even if it’s hard to compare different competitions. To go back to Man Utd? I’m sure he would consider it. He was very happy there; he enjoyed being at a club like United. But he’s also happy where he is now. I think it was a rushed move away from United even if they wanted a change, they needed to have a good replacement.”

Quote via: Metro

Talking about the Goalkeeping Debate

There are reasons why Manchester United sold David de Gea. He was a world-class shot-stopper but faced significant issues with ball distribution and building attacks from the back. Moreover, his inefficiency in commanding the penalty area did not fit him for the modern style of goalkeeping that Manchester United wanted. The 34-year-old still lacks these traits despite shining for Fiorentina. If Manchester United sign him back, then it will mean that the club is papering over the cracks rather than focusing on the long-term issues.

So, the club should target goalkeepers like Emiliano Martinez and Mike Meagan. The Argentine has been in tremendous form as we have seen his heroics with Argentina in the Copa America and also the FIFA World Cup 2022. The 33-year-old has made significant improvement in his ball distribution skills. He commands the penalty area and is sensational in stopping penalty kicks. On the other hand, Maignan possesses agility, authority and impeccable ball distribution skills. Either could compete with Senne Lammens and provide stability in place of Bayindir.

Ultimately, while Mendieta’s words highlight the affection De Gea holds for United, bringing him back could conflict with the club’s need to move forward. The challenge lies in making bold decisions rather than safe ones. United have already faced questions with Gareth Southgate distancing himself from the manager’s job and speculation over Joshua Zirkzee possibly leaving in January, so clarity over their goalkeeping situation would at least settle one major concern.

This article first appeared on We All Follow United and was syndicated with permission.

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