
De Gea reflects on emotional return to Old Trafford
Altay Bayindir saved a penalty, securing Manchester United's win against Fiorentina in their final pre-season friendly at Old Trafford. The match marked David de Gea's return to the stadium where he played for the first time since leaving Manchester United two summers ago.
De Gea was let go by United after 545 appearances, with the club opting to sign Andre Onana from Inter Milan for £47.2m. Onana, currently recovering from a hamstring injury, might miss the opening Premier League game against Arsenal, potentially giving Bayindir a chance to step in.
Bayindir, who was expected to leave United this summer, gained confidence by saving a penalty in the shootout victory against Fiorentina. De Gea, who received a warm reception from the crowd, expressed his emotions about playing at Old Trafford again and praised his former club.
Despite criticisms about De Gea's departure, comparisons with Onana's abilities have been made. De Gea's former teammate Nemanja Matic highlighted the impact of De Gea's exit, emphasizing the importance of a goalkeeper's role beyond just kicking abilities.
De Gea enjoyed his return to Manchester, making notable saves during the match. While some argue Bayindir might not be an upgrade, the paths of De Gea and United have diverged since his departure. De Gea remains hopeful for United's success under new management and with recent signings.