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Manchester United move to bring back former hero dismissed; Fabrizio Romano confirms

Originally posted on We All Follow United
By Rohit Sarkar | Last updated Sep 13, 2025 8:16 AM ET

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Manchester United did not want to sign David de Gea in the summer transfer window

Manchester United completely revamped their squad in the summer of 2025, and this change made the direction of the club clear. The team said goodbye to several big names and, at the same time, added some important players who could prove to be the foundation of the future. Matheus Cunha joined from Wolves, Bryan Mbeumo joined from Brentford, Benjamin Sesko joined from RB Leipzig, while names like Diego Leon and Senne Lammens also became part of the squad. On the other hand, Alejandro Garnacho moved to Chelsea, Antony joined Real Betis, and players like Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund and Jadon Sancho went to other clubs on loan. Meanwhile, there was also speculation about the return of David de Gea, but United chose to move in another direction.

The decision on De Gea:

Fabrizio Romano has now reported that the Red Devils never really wanted to bring the Fiorentina veteran back to Old Trafford this summer. De Gea came to Old Trafford to play in a pre-season friendly, but United decided against re-signing him, despite having an option to sign him for a cheaper price.

The club opted to sign Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens on the final day of the window for around £18 million. The Spanish goalkeeper recently broke his silence over his departure from United, but the club has clearly shown that their plan is now to focus on the future, not return to the past.

The right decision and the need for a new era:

United made the right move by not trying to bring back the 34-year-old shot-stopper this summer. He had a stellar career at Old Trafford, but in recent years, his poor distribution and some crucial mistakes have raised questions about his form and performance. Amorim’s current strategy relies on a goalkeeper who can confidently play out from defence. In that sense, despite De Gea’s experience and saving ability, he has not been able to provide the style that is now needed.

United’s trust in Senne Lammens reflects the club’s thinking. The young goalkeeper is a brilliant shot-stopper, and his confidence in the box will strengthen the team. The Belgian’s cross-stopping ability is also remarkable and could prove invaluable in a tough environment like the Premier League. Although the 23-year-old still needs to improve his long distribution, his raw talent and dynamic style fit the club’s philosophy perfectly.

Still, United must keep an eye on the future, with Mike Maignan as an option. AC Milan’s shot-stopper is consistently ranked among the best goalkeepers in the world. His combination of superb shot-stopping and distribution makes him the complete package. Maignan dominates the box and gives defences a break. He has a complicated contract situation at Milan, and if United need an upgrade beyond Lammens in the coming years, Maignan could be the perfect option. That’s why the club’s move this transfer window wasn’t just a squad overhaul; it was a message that United are moving in a direction beyond nostalgia, one focused on building the future.

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

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