Former Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has been away from the pitch for a full year, and the British media revealed that the 33-year-old Spain goalkeeper had hoped that Ten Hag would be removed and football director John · Murtaugh would leave, so that he could have a chance to return to the Red Devils. However, only half of the two conditions have been fulfilled, and now the "duck" can only choose to join other clubs.

Last summer, United withdrew a £200,000-a-week contract extension from David De Gea, forcing him to leave the club after 12 years. Ten Hag brought in his sister-in-law Andre · Onana, while De Gea did not get the welcome he should have received at Old Trafford. David De Gea made 545 appearances for Manchester United, the seventh-highest in club history. Last season, even Anthony Martial enjoyed the cheers and applause of the fans at the Theatre of Dreams.

The two sides had already reached an agreement to renew the contract, so after Manchester United reversed course, De Gea posted an "acrobatic" emoji on social media, suggesting that the club was playing tricks. Understandably, De Gea is unhappy with those who forced him to leave in this way, including manager Erik ten Hag and director Murtaugh. David De Gea has reportedly told friends that he would be happy to return to Manchester United if both men were gone.

However, Ten Hag was able to stay in the FA Cup by beating Manchester City. The new owner, Sir Jim · Ratcliffe, did send off Murtaugh and he was replaced by Dan · Ashworth. However, with Ten Hag still alive and he has full trust in Onana, there is no chance that De Gea will return to Old Trafford.

The Athletic reports that De Gea doesn't need to play to make money, he has achieved financial freedom. However, he has not completely given up on returning to football, still training three or four days a week under the guidance of a goalkeeper coach. The coach was recommended by former Manchester United goalkeeper coach Richard · Hartis, who also left Ten Hag's coaching staff last week.

De Gea said in a social media announcement on Saturday that he was like an hourglass, as if hinting at an imminent return to the pitch. The Athletic said he had been offered by the Saudi Arabia Professional League, Major League United States and Serie A clubs. His first choice is United States, but he may also stay in Europe. Final news on De Gea's future is expected next week.

Now, 417 days have passed since David De Gea last played, in the 2023 FA Cup final when United lost to Manchester City. In the first few months of David De Gea's departure from United, sources close to him confirmed that he had been disheartened and considered retiring.

But after four or five months of relaxation, De Gea felt he missed football and started trying to get back. For tax reasons, he stayed at home in Manchester instead of returning to Spain until the end of 2023.

At that point, De Gea no longer saw retirement as an option and started training weekly. De Gea has not lost contact with his Manchester United team-mates or other coaches, especially with Manchester United captain Bruno · Fernandez. He owns an esports team called Rebels, with both Fernandes and Mata as shareholders. He also watched Manchester United's Women's Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain at the Lief Sports Village in October, although the Spain goalkeeper never visited Old Trafford or the club's Carrington training ground.

De Gea is said to have wanted to see Ten Hag sacked so he would have sought a return to Manchester United. But now that hope has been dashed, there is no other way out. De Gea's first choice is to United States the West Coast team, and that is to ensure the stability of his wife Edulni· Garcia and daughter.

De Gea has not received an offer from La Liga and he does not plan to play for a Premier League side other than Manchester United. Despite the unsatisfactory ending, "Duck Dad", who played at Old Trafford for 12 years, still has his heart set on the Red Devils.

De Gea received several offers last summer and several options this year, but he prefers to wait for the right project, sources said. The problem of agents is also one of the reasons why De Gea has not found a home, he was a player for Jorge Mendes · 'super agent', but has recently been replaced by an unknown lawyer, José· Carlos · Busas. The latter, together with a friend, was in charge of De Gea's work. He hopes to address De Gea's future in the coming days and announce his new club soon.

De Gea has been away from the field for a year, but his training has not stopped, and he has been working on fitness, goalkeeper training and combining Padel paddle tennis, one of his favorite sports, playing for several hours a week.

De Gea trains mainly in Manchester and was photographed in April doing individual training at the training ground of non-league side Altrincham, which is located near his home. De Gea also uses the facilities of the Spain Football Federation in Las Rozas, Madrid, and sometimes practices in his hometown of Ilesca, near the province of Toledo. Those who have been in close contact with him along the way say De Gea has been training hard, in good form and eager to return to professional football.