David De Gea, one in a million

David de Gea will not continue at Manchester United. A few weeks ago the club withdrew their first renewal offer for the goalkeeper, whose contract expired on 30th June, and negotiations were stalled. There were no more. Eight days after being released, the Spanish goalkeeper said goodbye on social media to a club where he spent 12 long seasons. 12 years in which he experienced everything, from the end of the golden era and the hardest moments to the various successes that have adorned his trophy cabinet.

In 2011, the Madrid-born player left Atletico, the club where he was raised, to stay indefinitely in goal at England's biggest club. Waiting for him was Sir Alex Ferguson with a historic dressing room, although on its last legs. Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra were still around him, with Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes leading the way.

It was there that he made his mark and won his first and only Premier League, the last one for the Red Devils, who have yet to reach the Scot's level. David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer... there are many ups and downs that the goalkeeper also suffered.

What is remarkable is that he endured so many changes of coach, so many crises, headlines, controversy and ridicule. De Gea has had his dark afternoons, turning points such as the World Cup in Russia that ended his career with the national team, and which also tarnished his image in Spain. The negative is undeniable, the memes are very good, and the positive too; that's why his figure in the Premier League deserves to be praised.

In the end, one of the main reasons (apart from the financial aspects) that have ended the 32-year-old's stay at Old Trafford is the evolution of the goalkeeper's role. Erik ten Hag needs more than just a good goalkeeper, which is why Andre Onana or compatriot David Raya have been mentioned as alternatives.

Looking through the Manchester United and Premier League history lists, we can give context to the Spaniard's achievements. We are talking about the fact that De Gea is the goalkeeper with the most official appearances for the Mancunian team since 1992, when the current championship was founded, with 545. He has had more playing time than legends such as the Dane Peter Schmeichel (341), the Dutchman Edwin van der Sar (266) or Fabien Barthez (139). These four have been the only centenarians, behind Tim Howard (77).

Another important fact is that De Gea is the club's 5th most-capped player in the history of the current Premier League. Not just among goalkeepers, in general. He surpasses Roy Keane (478), Michael Carrick (463) or Rio Ferdinand (455), and is just 14 games behind Wayne Rooney (559). Gary Neville (602), Paul Scholes (718) and Ryan Giggs (907) top the list.

Turning to his record among Mancunian goalkeepers, the Spaniard also has the most wins (295). He is also followed by Schmeichel (207), Van der Sar (177) and Barthez (86), as well as Roy Carroll (49). De Gea also broke the Dane's record of 153 clean sheets to 190, while the Dutchman recorded 135, the Frenchman 50 and Sergio Romero 39.

If we look at his Premier League stats, David de Gea has been the goalkeeper with the 7th most games (415) after Jaaskelainen (436) or Petr Cech (443); he has 4th most clean sheets (148) under Schwarzer (153), David James (171) and the Czech (207); and 2nd most wins (225), only surpassed also by the former Chelsea and Arsenal player.

With these stats and with 8 titles in the form of a Premier League (2013), an FA Cup (2016), a Europa League (2017), two EFL Cups (2017, 2023) and three Community Shields (2011, 2013, 2016), David de Gea says goodbye to the Old Trafford goal. The League Cup was his last trophy, the last sincere smile before thinking about his future.