![\"David](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_GettyImages-1468948223.jpg\")
Manchester United has a special place in David de Gea’s heart.(Image: Catherine Ivill\/Getty Images.)<\/p>\nDavid de Gea was not without offers to come back to England after leaving Man United in 2023.Manchester United has a special place in David de Gea’s heart.(Image: Catherine Ivill\/Getty Images.)<\/p>\n
Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has admitted he rejected offers to return to England following his departure from Old Trafford<\/a> in July 2023.<\/p>\n After 12 years at United<\/a>, the Reds made the decision not to renew his contract following the conclusion of the 2022\/23 campaign, despite originally planning to extend De Gea’s stay.<\/p>\n De Gea<\/a> made a cluster of errors towards the end of that campaign and United opted to release him. Despite being able to offer a wealth of experience, De Gea was without a club for more than a year, eventually being snapped up by Fiorentina in August 2024. He made 42 appearances in his first season in Italy, keeping 11 clean sheets.<\/p>\n The Spaniard has now revealed he had opportunities to return to England prior to moving to Fiorentina, but has admitted it would have been “impossible” for him to play anywhere but United.<\/p>\n “I turned down offers from England because after spending so many years at a club like United, you feel like you don’t want to play for another club in England,” De Gea told Cronache<\/a>.<\/p>\n “I only wanted Manchester United<\/a>, and while it’s true that I received offers from England, I knew it would be impossible for me to play anywhere else. I’ve spent my whole life there; it’s the club that shaped me and allowed me to have a wonderful career.<\/p>\n “I felt it was time to rest and come back even stronger.”<\/p>\n De Gea, who could return to Old Trafford next month when United face Fiorentina in their final pre-season friendly, teamed up with goalkeeping coach Craig Ellison during his time out of the game and they soon clicked.<\/p>\n He added: “I lived between Madrid and Manchester. When I felt like I wanted to get back into coaching to get back into shape, I started looking for a goalkeeping coach to help me.<\/p>\n “They recommended Craig Ellison, and from the first training session, our relationship immediately took shape. There was a wonderful connection, he’s a phenomenon both as a person and as a coach, I love him dearly.<\/p>\n “A friendship was born. He helped me during that break: I trained a lot and we spent a lot of time together. Lots of chats with an exceptional guy.<\/p>\n “During this year off, which was special for me given that I’d been playing at a high level for 15 years, I trained at the Spanish national team’s federal training centre and on a fifth division pitch in England. I think this year off did me great mentally and physically.”<\/p>\n Man United’s 2025\/26 Away Shirt<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a385<\/p>\n Fanatics<\/p>\n![\"David](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_GettyImages-2213429832.jpg\")
David de Gea joined Fiorentina almost a year ago.(Image: Gabriele Maltinti\/Getty Images.)<\/p>\n![\"Patrick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1_Untitled-9jpeg.jpg\")
<\/p>\n