Manchester United reportedly targeting reunion with fan favorite

Altay Bayindir's mistake against Arsenal on August 17 has sparked a storm around Manchester United. The narrative has shifted from praise for their transfer market moves to urgency over the goalkeeper situation. 

Both Bayindir and Andre Onana made high-profile errors last season, and another mistake to start the new campaign highlights United's need for a more reliable presence in goal. And that's where David De Gea comes in. 

The former United keeper left the club in 2023. He was without a team during the 2023-24 season, but signed with Fiorentina for the 2024-25 campaign. De Gea impressed in Serie A, making 96 saves out of 135 shots on target. He allowed 38 goals in 35 appearances, helping Fiorentina to a sixth-place finish in the league.

According to The Sun, there is a clause in De Gea's contract that would allow him to leave Florence for a "modest" transfer fee. United are reportedly weighing using that clause to their advantage and bringing back the fan favorite for another spell with the club.

"Discreet background calls are being made after De Gea made a good impression on his return to Old Trafford for a friendly last weekend and told fans their “paths may cross again”," Alan Nixon of The Sun reported. "...United ideally need Onana, 29, or Turkish back-up stopper Altay Bayindir to leave to free up wages. But they could still find a way to accommodate him if De Gea was cheap enough."

De Gea was allowed to leave United due to Erik Ten Hag's desire to add a keeper who was better with their feet. Onana's passing ability is what made him such a strong target for United, along with the fact that Ten Hag had previously worked with him at Ajax.

However, De Gea's return to form would make him a strong addition to United's back line. He already knows the pressures that come with representing United, and would likely relish the opportunity to become a key cog in Ruben Amorim's revolution.

United should seriously consider bringing De Gea back to the Theatre of Dreams. He's a proven commodity, entering the prime years for a goalkeeper. Furthermore, he's likely the most affordable of the team's goalkeeping targets. 

Onana and Bayindir have both had their opportunities to cement themselves as United's No. 1, but have failed to prove themselves. As such, a change is in order, and that could help solidify everything Amorim is working toward this season.