David De Gea described his return to Old Trafford as 'special' and 'emotional' after playing his first match at the stadium since leaving Manchester United two years ago. The 34-year-old goalkeeper, now with Fiorentina, received a warm welcome from fans during Saturday's friendly, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
De Gea, who spent 12 years at United and made 545 appearances, admitted he contemplated retirement during his year without a club before joining Fiorentina last August. 'Always you have these things come into your mind,' he said, but added that he felt ready to continue after training again.
The Spaniard expressed no hard feelings over his exit in 2023, saying: 'Sometimes football is like it is. You cannot control everything. I've been here 12 years, very, very nice. It's one of the best periods of my life.' He also praised the club and fans for their support.
De Gea produced several important saves during the match and was given a standing ovation when substituted late on. He also met Sir Alex Ferguson before the game, whom he still calls 'the boss'. Reflecting on his time at United, he said: 'When you leave the club, you realise how big the club is.'
Looking ahead, De Gea hopes United can bounce back from last season's 15th-place finish, saying: 'Hopefully this year with the new signings and the manager starting a new era they can do something big.' He also expressed optimism about Fiorentina's season, noting the team's ability to compete with top sides like United.
