David de Gea makes a not-so-subtle dig at Erik ten Hag after the manager who booted HIM out of Man United after 12 years there is sacked himself
David De Gea has apparently done something not so subtle to Erik ten Hag after he was sacked as Manchester United manager.
The Dutchman was sacked by United bosses on Monday morning after being called to a morning meeting in Carrington and told his time as boss was over.
The decision to sack the Dutchman after two-and-a-half years at the helm came after United’s defeat to West Ham on Sunday left them in 14th place in the Premier League.
And the 54-year-old quickly left Manchester after he was spotted being picked up by a driver and taken to Manchester airport before boarding a flight to Amsterdam.
And De Gea pulled no punches when he took to X to share a pinched fingers emoji, seemingly aimed at his former boss.
David De Gea (left) has made a not-so-subtle comment about Erik ten Hag (right) after he was sacked by Manchester United
The former Manchester United goalkeeper took to social media to seemingly express his views
Ten Hag was sacked on Monday after two and a half years in charge and fourteenth in the Premier League with United
The gesture can represent a number of different meanings, although it is often given as a sign of contentment or joy.
De Gea was number 1 at United when Ten Hag took over the club, having initially joined from Atletico Madrid in June 2011.
He had often spoken of his hopes of becoming a club legend, although he found his way into the team early on under Sir Alex Ferguson’s guidance. He would eventually regain his place and become the undisputed number 1.
The Spaniard would continue his role under David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and initially under Ten Hag.
He played the Dutchman’s first season in charge but opted not to remain at the club following talks over a new contract, with Ten Hag making it clear he would like to sign Andre Onana despite De Gea signing the year before Golden Glove won.
Onana would join for £47.1 million, with De Gea becoming a free agent, posting on social media: ‘Now is the right time to take on a new challenge and push myself again in a new environment .
“I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love of the past twelve years. We have achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club.”
De Gea was United’s goalkeeper for twelve years before he was forced out of the club by Ten Hag
United went a different route with their number 1, signing Andre Onana from Inter Milan
United spent several months in negotiations with De Gea, whose 190 clean sheets are a club record, but ultimately Ten Hag wanted a goalkeeper who was more adept with his feet.
De Gea added on his departure: ‘I was incredibly proud every time I put on this shirt. To lead the team, to represent this institution, the greatest club in the world, was an honor granted only to a few lucky footballers.
‘It has been an unforgettable and successful period since I came here. I don’t think if we left Madrid as young boys we would achieve what we achieved together.
‘Manchester will always remain in my heart, Manchester has shaped me and will never leave me.’
Now De Gea has apparently responded on social media to the news that Ten Hag is on his way.
After leaving United, De Gea was a free agent for a year and used his social media accounts to share cryptic messages about his future, as he did during contract negotiations with United.
In the summer he finally found a club, signed for Fiorentina and locked himself in as the Italian squad’s No. 1.
Current United skipper Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, posted: ‘Thanks for everything boss!’ he wrote on Instagram. ‘I appreciate the trust and the moments we share together, I wish you all the best in the future.
‘Even knowing the past period is not that [sic] It was great from all of us. I hope you fans can remember the good things the manager has done for our club!’