Bruno Fernandes Criticizes Manchester United Over David de Gea’s Departure
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has expressed his disappointment with the club over the handling of goalkeeper David de Gea’s departure. De Gea recently confirmed his exit from Old Trafford after his contract expired at the end of the season. Despite initial talks about a possible extension, the club retracted their contract offer, leading to De Gea’s departure.
De Gea, who spent over a decade as Manchester United’s No.1 goalkeeper, leaves the club with an impressive record of 545 appearances and 190 clean sheets. He won several trophies during his time at the club, including the Premier League title, FA Cup, EFL Cup, and Europa League. Fernandes took to social media to bid farewell to De Gea and expressed his belief that the goalkeeper deserved a better send-off.
In an Instagram post, Fernandes wrote, “You deserved to say goodbye at the stadium with all the fans cheering you for all the beautiful memories. You made history at the club and your name will never be forgotten, and no one can take that away from you. All the best for what’s coming for you and your family.”
However, Manchester United has faced criticism for their handling of De Gea’s contract situation. Former Arsenal winger Perry Groves accused the club of showing a “lack of class” and making De Gea feel unwanted. Groves also criticized manager Erik ten Hag for not standing up for De Gea and making it clear that he was the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
While acknowledging that De Gea showed signs of decline last season, Groves believes that Manchester United is bringing in a top-quality replacement in Andre Onana from Inter Milan. The club is reportedly close to finalizing a £45 million deal for Onana, with ten Hag eager to reunite with the former Ajax goalkeeper.
Groves added, “I think your goalkeeper needs to have presence and a strong character, and Andre Onana has that. He’s used to playing on the big stage for Inter Milan and he likes to play out from the back. He has been so impressive.”
De Gea’s decline in form has been a topic of discussion among fans and pundits alike. While he has been a key player for Manchester United over the past 12 years, there were instances last season where his performances were not up to par. Groves pointed out that De Gea’s reactions and footwork were not as sharp as they should be, leading to goals that a top goalkeeper should have saved.
As Manchester United prepares for life without De Gea, the focus now shifts to Andre Onana and his ability to fill the void left by the departing goalkeeper. With his experience at Inter Milan and Ajax, Onana brings a strong character and a desire to play out from the back. Fans will be hoping that he can provide the stability and reliability that De Gea once offered.
In conclusion, Bruno Fernandes’ comments highlight the disappointment felt by many over the handling of David de Gea’s departure from Manchester United. While De Gea’s decline in form was evident, there is a consensus that he deserved a better send-off from the club. As Manchester United moves forward with Andre Onana as their new No.1 goalkeeper, the focus will now be on his ability to perform at the highest level and fill the void left by De Gea.