David De Gea has stirred up intense speculation in the football world following a striking interview in Madrid, where he revealed his openness to a potential return to Manchester United this coming January—though only under one very specific and dramatic condition. The 34-year-old goalkeeper, who left Old Trafford in 2023 after more than a decade of service, expressed that despite how things ended, his deep affection for the club has never wavered.
In the interview, De Gea confessed that his passion for Manchester United remains strong. He shared that he still watches every game and feels emotionally tied to the badge. His message was clear: he would gladly come back in a heartbeat if he could. However, he then dropped a shocking twist, stating that his return would depend entirely on one player’s departure—someone he claimed was the key reason behind his initial exit.
Without naming names, De Gea implied that a particular player disrupted the team’s chemistry and made his final days at the club unbearable. Insiders believe that the unnamed individual is André Onana, the current first-choice goalkeeper who joined the club the same summer De Gea departed. Reports have previously hinted at behind-the-scenes tension between the two over differing approaches to training and tactics. These tensions likely played a part in the Spaniard feeling isolated during Erik ten Hag’s tenure, and may still linger under new boss Ruben Amorim.
Interestingly, Amorim is reportedly considering De Gea for a potential return in a backup or mentorship role due to concerns about Onana’s inconsistent performances. Yet De Gea’s bold demand adds a major complication to those plans, essentially presenting the club with a stark choice—either move on from Onana or forget about welcoming their former number one back.
De Gea closed the conversation by reinforcing his desire to help Manchester United succeed again, but insisted that locker room harmony must come first. He made it clear that he and the unnamed player cannot coexist at the same club, calling that his final stance.
As the January transfer window approaches, the spotlight is now on Manchester United’s decision-makers to see if they’ll entertain the idea of a De Gea comeback—and what drastic steps they might take to make it possible.
