After getting slaughtered from pillar to post by the unforgiving Spanish press in the summer, David De Gea has returned to the serenity and love of Manchester, with a new five year deal in the offing and no more talk of Real Madrid’s seemingly hitherto unrelenting pursuit of his signature.
Real Madrid’s unofficial mouthpiece, Marca, were unforgivingly, remorselessly hurtful in their take on De Gea’s exploits at the World Cup. Of course, De Gea has set ridiculously high standards for himself and his performances in Russia fell below that, but the scrutiny he was placed under was far more intense than the untouchable iconic Iker Casillas at the World Cup before that. That sourness from Marca emphasised why De Gea has never angled for a move back home, why would he when he is unconditionally adored at United?
As Spain were sent home by hosts Russia, much was made of De Gea’s inability to keep out any of Russia’s penalties. It was all De Gea’s fault, not that Spain’s two hours of dull, harmless possession tactics had anything to do with it whatsoever. The criticism that followed was ignorant of the fact that De Gea’s penalty record period is rather unremarkable.
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It was notable that De Gea appeared a picture of happiness and contentment to be back among amigos Herrera, Mata and Sanchez on the club’s tour of the States. He can rest easy knowing that feeling is almost universally mutual.
De Gea has done so much for United, his continued brilliance has saved their bacon countless times before and will do so again. Let’s not forget though that United have also been good to De Gea: The days of rotation with Anders Lindegaard barely seem an accurate depiction of what he has transformed into, his growth has been exponential and has led to many now claiming what reds have for years- De Gea is the best keeper on the planet.
He has encountered off-season difficulties previously, famously that failed transfer to Real Madrid. Didn’t we all have a lot of time for fax machines in their day, anyway? He made his return to action in the pressure cooker clash with Liverpool, reportedly with reservations about how his return would be received. The answer? With vociferous approval.
This time around, as he will take to the field against Leicester City, he will have no doubts in his head.
United is the place for him, his home, where he is loved.
