David de Gea posts cryptic emoji message amid reports Man Utd are pleading with Spanish goalkeeper to re-join them after Andre Onana's disaster start

It has been claimed that the Red Devils are, a matter of months after releasing the Spaniard as a free agent, eager to put a short-term deal in place with a player that they know well. De Gea spent 12 years on United’s books, taking in 545 appearances, before being allowed to move on in the summer of 2023 when his contract came to a close.

Andre Onana is now first choice in Erik ten Hag’s plans, but he is due to head off on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Cameroon in January and has endured a tough start to life in English football. De Gea would bring stability and familiarity to United’s keeping department, with the 32-year-old still without a club as things stand.

De Gea has been back in Manchester of late, meeting up with some former team-mates, and has posted a cryptic ‘thinking’ emoji message on social media as speculation regarding his future continues to rage.

De Gea won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League during his time with United. He has kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in the Red Devils' long and distinguished history, with four Player of the Year awards collected through more than a decade of loyal service in Manchester.