Man Utd Told They Made Huge Mistake Letting “Phenomenal” Player Go as Former Red Devils Striker Reveals What He Saw During Two-Month Training Stint

Man Utd Told They Made Huge Mistake Letting “Phenomenal” Player Go as Former Red Devils Striker Reveals What He Saw During Two-Month Training Stint

Few decisions in modern Manchester United history have sparked as much debate as the club’s choice to part ways with long-time goalkeeper David de Gea in 2023. For more than a decade, the Spanish shot-stopper had been one of the most consistent figures at Old Trafford, often standing out during seasons when the team around him struggled.

But football moves quickly, and the club ultimately decided to move in a different direction.

Now, years later, former United striker Giuseppe Rossi believes that decision may have been a mistake.

Rossi, who briefly returned to Manchester United’s training ground late in his career for a two-month stint, got a close-up look at De Gea during the final phase of the goalkeeper’s time at the club. What he saw during those sessions left a strong impression.

According to the Italian forward, De Gea was still performing at an elite level — and still playing like a goalkeeper capable of carrying Manchester United through difficult matches.

A Legend of the Old Trafford Era

David de Gea’s time at Manchester United spanned more than a decade, making him one of the longest-serving players in the club’s modern era.

He arrived in 2011 after being signed by legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson from Atletico Madrid. At the time, De Gea was seen as a young, promising talent who would eventually replace Edwin van der Sar.

The transition was not easy.

During his first season in England, De Gea faced criticism from pundits and fans alike. Questions were raised about his physical strength and ability to handle the intensity of the Premier League.

But the young goalkeeper gradually proved his doubters wrong.

Season after season, De Gea developed into one of the best shot-stoppers in world football. His reflexes, positioning and composure under pressure helped Manchester United survive many difficult moments during a period of rebuilding after Ferguson’s retirement.

Over the course of his career at Old Trafford, De Gea made 545 appearances — placing him seventh on the club’s all-time list of most games played.

He also won the club’s Player of the Year award four times, a remarkable achievement for a goalkeeper.

Onana Experiment Raised Eyebrows

When Manchester United allowed De Gea’s contract to expire in 2023, the decision surprised many observers.

Despite the club finishing the season with him as their number one goalkeeper, United opted not to renew his deal.

Instead, they turned to Andre Onana, the Cameroon international who had impressed at Inter Milan.

Onana’s arrival was seen as part of a tactical shift. Modern football increasingly values goalkeepers who are comfortable playing with their feet, acting almost as an extra outfield player when building attacks from the back.

Onana fit that profile.

However, the transition did not unfold as smoothly as the club had hoped.

Mistakes, inconsistent performances and pressure from supporters made his time at Old Trafford difficult. Eventually, the club decided to loan him to Turkish side Trabzonspor, signalling that his future in Manchester was uncertain.

The situation only strengthened the argument among some former players that letting De Gea go may have been premature.

Rossi Reflects on Training With De Gea

Giuseppe Rossi had a unique opportunity to observe De Gea closely during the latter’s final season at Manchester United.

After returning to the club’s training ground in his early thirties to maintain fitness, Rossi spent around two months working alongside the first-team squad.

That experience gave him a firsthand look at De Gea’s ability during daily training sessions.

Speaking about that period, Rossi admitted he was surprised when United decided to let the goalkeeper leave.

“Yes, I think it was a mistake,” he said when asked whether the club should have kept De Gea.

Rossi explained that even at that stage of his career, the Spanish goalkeeper remained exceptional.

“I went back to train with Manchester United when I was around 33 or 34,” he recalled. “David was still there at the time.”

From Rossi’s perspective, De Gea had not lost the qualities that made him special.

“The guy was still phenomenal,” he said.

According to Rossi, the goalkeeper continued to display incredible shot-stopping ability every day on the training pitch.

“He was saving everything possible,” Rossi added.

Leadership Behind the Scenes

Beyond his performances on the field, Rossi also highlighted another aspect of De Gea’s contribution to the club — leadership inside the dressing room.

While the goalkeeper was not always the most vocal player publicly, teammates often regarded him as a steady presence during challenging periods.

“He was also a leader in the changing room,” Rossi explained.

During Rossi’s two months at the club, he noticed how De Gea interacted with teammates and younger players.

The Spanish goalkeeper had grown into one of the senior figures in the squad, someone who understood the pressures of playing for Manchester United.

That kind of experience can be difficult to replace.

“He is a legend at Manchester United,” Rossi said.

For that reason, he believes the club might have benefitted from keeping him longer.

The Importance of Finding the Right Replacement

Rossi acknowledged that football clubs must sometimes make difficult decisions about player transitions.

Allowing experienced players to leave can open opportunities for new talent and tactical evolution.

But he also emphasised that such decisions require careful planning.

“If you’re going to make that kind of decision,” Rossi said, “you have to find the right replacement.”

In his view, Manchester United initially struggled to do that.

“Did they find the right people immediately? Probably not,” he admitted.

However, Rossi believes the club may finally be moving in the right direction.

Senne Lammens Emerging as New No.1

After several seasons of uncertainty in the goalkeeping department, Manchester United may have finally discovered a long-term solution.

Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens has emerged as a reliable presence between the posts.

At just 23 years old, Lammens represents the type of modern goalkeeper clubs seek today: strong shot-stopping ability combined with comfort when distributing the ball.

His performances have brought stability to a position that had been under scrutiny since De Gea’s departure.

Rossi has been impressed by what he has seen.

“They have found a very good goalkeeper now,” he said.

According to Rossi, Lammens could become the long-term successor United have been searching for.

“He’s young and doing phenomenal,” he added.

Other Voices in the Debate

Rossi is not the only former Manchester United figure to question the decision to let De Gea leave.

Ex-defender Paul Parker has previously expressed strong opinions on the topic as well.

Parker believes the focus on modern goalkeepers being comfortable with their feet has sometimes overshadowed traditional shot-stopping ability.

In his view, De Gea’s strengths were undervalued during the final stages of his United career.

He has argued that the Spanish goalkeeper’s reflexes and experience would have helped the team avoid several difficult results.

For Parker, the debate highlights a broader question about how football evaluates goalkeepers in the modern era.

De Gea’s Career Revival in Italy

After leaving Manchester United, De Gea took an extended break from football.

Rather than rushing into another contract, he stepped away from the game for nearly a year. The break allowed him to rest physically and mentally after a long and demanding Premier League career.

Eventually, he returned to professional football in 2024, signing with Italian club Fiorentina.

The move proved to be an excellent decision.

Now in his mid-thirties, De Gea has delivered a series of impressive performances in Serie A. His reflex saves and experience have once again drawn praise from fans and analysts alike.

For some Manchester United supporters, those performances have only intensified the feeling that the club may have let a legend leave too soon.

A New Chapter for Manchester United

Despite the lingering debate, Manchester United appear to be stabilising their goalkeeping situation.

With Lammens developing into a dependable number one, the club can finally look ahead rather than revisiting past decisions.

The young Belgian goalkeeper may even have the chance to play in the Champions League in the 2026–27 season if United maintain their current progress.

That possibility represents a new chapter for the club.

Still, the legacy of David de Gea remains firmly embedded in Manchester United history.

For more than a decade, he carried the team through difficult periods and produced countless unforgettable saves.

And according to those who saw him up close — like Giuseppe Rossi during that two-month training stint — the Spanish goalkeeper still had plenty left to give when he left Old Trafford.