Bruno Fernandes insists David de Gea deserved a better send-off after confirming his departure from Manchester United.
The Red Devils star doesn’t appear happy with the club over the nature of the goalkeeper’s exit after over a decade as their No.1.
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On Saturday, De Gea finally confirmed his Old Trafford departure following the expiry of his contract.
Man United stated a week ago that they remained in talks with the 32-year-old over a possible extension, suggesting De Gea could still pen a new deal to stay with the Premier League giants.
However, after the club reportedly retracted their contract offer – which De Gea agreed, including a pay cut – it was ultimately decided it was time for a parting of ways.
The Red Devils hailed De Gea as ‘forever a United legend’ as they announced his departure, bringing his 12-year United career to a close after 545 appearances and 190 clean sheets – both club records for a goalkeeper.
He lifted the Premier League title in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge, also winning one FA Cup, two EFL Cups and the Europa League, and collected numerous individual prizes including two Premier League Golden Gloves and eight United Player of the Year awards.
Fernandes was one of the first teammates to bid his personal farewell to the glovesman on social media, and the midfielder said he deserved a better send-off.
“You deserved to say goodbye at the stadium with all the fans cheering you for all the beautiful memories,” the Portuguese star wrote on Instagram.
“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.”
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Meanwhile, Manchester United were blasted for showing a ‘lack of class’ over the handling of De Gea’s contract situation.
Former Arsenal winger Perry Groves also took aim at manager Erik ten Hag for making a legend of the club feel unwanted.
Speaking on the Saturday Session, the talkSPORT pundit said: “I knew David de Gea would never play for Manchester United again, because of the way that they’ve treated him and made it perfectly clear that they didn’t want him.
“De Gea’s representatives have been useless, they left him open to this, but Manchester United have shown a lack of class.
“They retracted their contract offer, and as soon as that happened De Gea should have said, ‘I’m not going to play for Man United’.
“He knew that Ten Hag didn’t fancy him, because if he did fancy him he’d have said to Man United, ‘Get that deal done, he’s my No.1 goalkeeper’.”
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Groves did admit, though, that De Gea was showing signs of decline last season and says they are getting in a top quality replacement in Andre Onana.
talkSPORT understands Man United are expecting to rubber stamp a £45million deal for the Inter Milan No.1 next week, with Ten Hag keen to be reunited with the former Ajax goalkeeper.
Groves added: “That said, 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 has done a fantastic job for Man United over the last 12 years but I think the majority of fans will agree that’s he been on the decline.
“There were too many goals last season that weren’t howlers, but they left you thinking a top goalkeeper should be doing better than that. He’s not moving his feet as quickly as he should do and his reactions are just a little bit too late.”
