'He has a family, man' - David de Gea's cryptic Instagram post after Erik ten Hag sacking goes viral but ex-Man Utd star is labelled a 'disrespectful clown'

De Gea posted the same single emoji, without direct context, to his Instagram story and also on X, which garnered a significant and divided response from fans believing it to be celebrating Ten Hag's fate at Manchester United.

@UTDgeezer replied to De Gea on X: "Hahahaha David couldn't wait. Bigger legend in my book to Man Utd than Ten Hag."

@josh__ekwunife similarly said: "David couldn't wait."

Chelsea fan @CFCFico responded with: "Damn, he has a family man. Cmon."

@TenHagEra, bit back at the goalkeeper: "What a disrespectful clown."

@Kingofdreams01 said: "David de Gea disrespecting Erik ten Hag and the club is unacceptable."

De Gea left Manchester United in 2023 following one season under Ten Hag. It became apparent that the Spaniard, a veteran of 11 seasons, didn't fit the Dutchman's preferred style of play and the club soon pursued Andre Onana instead. De Gea was released and spent a year out of football before signing a contract with Fiorentina in August.

It remains to be seen what Ten Hag will do next. In the interim period until a permanent replacement is appointed, Ruud van Nistelrooy will take over at Old Trafford, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer even linked with a return as United may be forced to consider free agents only.