David De Gea confirmed his exit from Manchester United this afternoon, with the Spaniard bringing to an end his 12-year stay at Old Trafford.
The goalkeeper acted as the club's no. 1 ever since his arrival from Atletico Madrid back in 2011. After some early struggles to adapt to the Premier League, he would go on to establish himself as one of the best players in his position in world football at one point.
In saying that, he was viewed in a very different manner during the tail end of his time at Manchester United.
It's clear that De Gea is no longer the player he once was, making far too many mistakes. His shot stopping was not as consistent as it had previously been, while his lack of ability with the ball of his feet was a big issue in the modern game.
While he will always be thought fondly of by United fans after being named the club's player of the season on four occasions, it's fair to say that many felt now was the right time for him to move on.
Remembering Roy Keane's vicious David De Gea rant
David De Gea has had quite a few critics in recent seasons, although few of them have been more outspoken than Roy Keane.
The Irishman has long expressed his doubts about the goalkeeper, believing that he was holding Manchester United back in terms of their ability to compete for major trophies.
Keane criticised the 32-year old on countless occasions over the last few years, although one incident particular stands out.
It came back in the summer of 2020, a period when Premier League fixtures were being held behind closed doors after their resumption in play during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Manchester United were playing away at Spurs, with Ole Gunner Solskjaer's side trailing 1-0 at the interval on the back of some questionable defending and goalkeeping.
Keane refused to spare either Harry Maguire or De Gea for their part in Steven Bergwijn's strike, saying he would 'swinging punches' at the latter if he had been in the dressing room on that occasion.
"I am disgusted with it. Maguire? de Gea? Hang your heads in shame."
"I'd be swinging punches at that guy."
Roy Keane is absolutely FURIOUS at that Tottenham goal...😳 pic.twitter.com/fC97LLKHcf— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) June 19, 2020
I'm shocked at that goal. I've watched a lot of football over the years, but to give away that goal, I'm fuming here over this game of football.
I can't believe Man United. I can't believe [Luke] Shaw heading the ball up in the air and then running forward. I'm staggered at Maguire, staggered that an international player can just get done like this.
I am sick to death of this goalkeeper. I would be fighting him at halftime, there is no getting away from that. I would be swinging punches at that guy.
This is a standard save for an established international goalkeeper. I am flabbergasted.
There has got to be some stuff going on in that dressing room at halftime. If I'm Ole, make some changes and get them lads off the pitch...
Maguire and De Gea, I wouldn't even let them back on the bus after the match, let them get a taxi back to Manchester. These are stablished international players.
We're all sitting here, and I know we have to analyse the game, but you can analyse it until the cows come home. You do your job, we're trying to get in the top four. We're not on about winning leagues by the way, we're just talking about getting in the top four, god forbid about winning trophies.
It's shocking, I'm disgusted with it. Maguire and De Gea, you should hang you heads in shame.
Fairly damning alright. Manchester United would actually go on to draw the game 1-1 on the back of a Bruno Fernandes penalty in the second half, eventually finishing in third place that season.
This was far from the only time that Roy Keane had a go at David De Gea, doing so as recently as the FA Cup final loss to Manchester City last month.
It's fair to say that the Cork man won't be losing any sleep over the goalkeeper's departure from the club.
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