Why is David de Gea leaving Man United? Next club for long-time Premier League goalkeeper

David de Gea looks will be searching for a new club ahead of the 2023/24 season as his time at Manchester United comes to an end.

The goalkeeper's contract ended with the Red Devils on June 30, 2023, making him a free agent for other clubs to sign. While there was speculation he could yet sign a new deal at Old Trafford, it became clear in the past week that United were exploring other options to be No.1 next season.

On July 8, United confirmed De Gea would be leaving. Manager Erik ten Hag said the Spain international "will always be remembered as one of the very best goalkeepers in the history of the club".

Ten Hag will now need to search for another goalkeeper unless he plans on playing Dean Henderson between the sticks at Old Trafford. The Englishman spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Nottingham Forest and is expected to be sold on a permanent deal.

The Red Devils have been in negotiations with Inter Milan over Andre Onana, but if an agreement cannot be reached, they are at risk of beginning next season with few options between the posts.

Given the uncertainty around United's goalkeeping department, it begs the question as to why they have parted company with the winner of last season's Premier League Golden Glove.

The Sporting News explores why De Gea and United's marriage has come to an end after 12 years.

MORE: Who should Man United sign to replace David de Gea?

Why is David de Gea leaving Man United?

De Gea was signed by Man United in 2011, when Alex Ferguson was still manager, as a replacement for the retiring Edwin van der Sar. He arrived for £18.9 million ($24m) from Atletico Madrid, which made him the second most expensive goalkeeper at the time behind Gianluigi Buffon.

De Gea has won four major trophies with United, including the 2012/13 Premier League title — the most recent in the club's history. He has also been named the club's player of the year on four occasions, with his finest form coming under former managers Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.

The Spain international signed a new four-year contract in September 2019 that saw him become the club's top earner, his wages increasing to a stunning £375,000 ($478,000) per week. He has remained United's first-choice keeper since and won the Premier League Golden Glove for the second time in his career in 2022/23 after keeping the most clean sheets in the competition. However, costly mistakes in key matches have become a more regular occurrence in recent years, and the questions over his capability with the ball at his feet, and his willingness to come forward off his line, led to suggestions that United manager Erik ten Hag would prefer a keeper in a different mould.

4 - David de Gea has made four errors leading to a goal in all competitions this season, the joint-most of any Premier League player, along with Hugo Lloris. Howler. pic.twitter.com/nnDGryuhQP

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 7, 2023

The Athletic reported that De Gea agreed a new contract with the club and went on holiday expecting to return to training with the rest of the first team next week, but United did not go ahead with the deal. Instead, despite De Gea agreeing to a reduction in his salary, United reportedly decided to offer him another new deal at an even lower rate.

On June 28, De Gea posted a yawning emoji to his official Twitter account. He followed that about a week later with an emoji of a circus performer. The 32-year-old did not accept the new terms put forward by the club and, interestingly, United's statement confirming the player's exit said it was De Gea himself who had announced his departure.

🥱

— David de Gea (@D_DeGea) June 28, 2023

What clubs want to sign David de Gea?

De Gea still wants to compete at the highest level, but his options may be limited — a fact that sounds remarkable for a player who holds the record for appearances (545) and clean sheets (190) for a United goalkeeper.

Only Petr Cech (202), David James (169), and Mark Schwarzer (152) have kept more clean sheets in the Premier League than De Gea (147). Despite this stat, it is unlikely that any other 'big six' sides will sign the player.

Man City are comfortable with Ederson while Arsenal recently extended Aaron Ramsdale's contract. Liverpool have had no problems with Alisson, while Chelsea appear happy to make Kepa Arrizabalaga their first-choice keeper for next season. Tottenham have announced Guglielmo Vicario as a summer signing, replacing long-standing No.1 Hugo Lloris.

There has reportedly been some interest from Real Betis and Sevilla for De Gea, but his salary could prove to be a big issue for La Liga teams. Clubs in the Saudi Pro League are also monitoring the goalkeeper's situation.

MORE: Biggest transfers 2023: Most expensive deals of summer window.

David de Gea Man United records, trophies

During his 12 years at Man United, De Gea kept 190 clean sheets for the club. He surpassed Peter Schmeichel's record with a shutout against Newcastle United in the 2023 Carabao Cup final, which the Red Devils won 2-0.

De Gea managed to win all four domestic trophies in England — the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and Community Shield — along with a Europa League title under the guidance of Mourinho in 2017. The Spaniard also won many individual accolades: he was named United's Player's Player of the Year four times, was included in the 2018 FIFA FIFPro World11 in 2018 and the PFA Team of the Year five times, and earned the Premier League Player of the Month in January 2022.

He ended his time with the club by winning the Premier League Golden Glove for the second time and he helped United get back into the Champions League.

Premier League 2023/24 TV channels, live streams

MORE: Watch every Premier League match in Canada on Fubo

UK: Matches are carried across Sky Sports and TNT Sports streaming and TV platforms, with select matches on Amazon Prime.

USA: Select matches are televised on USA Network (English) and Telemundo or Universo (Spanish), and all three channels can be streamed on Fubo. The rest of the matches are streamed on NBC platform Peacock for subscribers.

Canada: Every Premier League game this season is live streaming exclusively via Fubo in Canada.

Australia: Fans in Australia can stream every match live and on demand on Optus Sport.

India: Star Sports network has the rights to show Premier League matches in India. As well as an English broadcast on Star Sports Select, select matches will be available via regional feeds on Star Sports 3 (in Bengali, English, Kannada, Malayalam), Star Sports 1 (Bangla) and Star Sports 1 (Tamil).