LONDON: David De Gea has left Manchester United following the end of his contract, with the Spanish goalkeeper penning a farewell message to the Premier League club’s fans on Saturday after 12 seasons with the Old Trafford side.

De Gea’s contract expired on June 30 but at the time the club said they were still in discussions with the 32-year-old shot-stopper over an extension.

The Spaniard, who joined United in 2011 when Alex Ferguson was manager, was the current squad’s longest-serving player having made nearly 550 appearances.

De Gea, who won the Premier League Golden Glove award for most clean sheets last season, was criticised for a number of high-profile errors in the final weeks of the campaign.

United have been linked with a move for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2023