It appears as though ex-Manchester United goalkeeper and club legend David de Gea has finally found a new club after more than a year since he departed from Old Trafford.
The Spanish keeper, who was the Red Devils’ number one for 12 years, left Manchester back in July 2023 and had been without a team for more than 15 months, but it looks like his lengthy absence from football has finally now come to an end.
According to multiple sources, de Gea has reached an agreement to sign for Italian club Fiorentina on a one-year deal this week and is set to earn approximately £2.5 million per season.
The former Man United star arrived around lunchtime in Florence today (Friday, 9 August) for his medical ahead of signing the contract which is said to include an option for a further year.
Undeniably one of the best shot-stoppers on the planet at his peak, the 33-year-old’s latter days at United may have been less assured than in his heyday, but he still remains highly revered among many fans and the so-called goalkeepers’ union, with the fourth-most clean sheets in Premier League history.
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The former Atlético de Madrid man – who was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson for a then-British record fee of £17million at the age of just 21 – went on to surpass Alex Stepney to make the most appearances of any keeper at the club (545), win two golden gloves and earn the Player of the Season award four times.
Despite being out of action professionally, De Gea was most recently seen training at a national team facility back in his home country after posting a video along with the caption, “Ready to rock”.
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Prior to that, he had made appearances at Man United Women’s games at Leigh Sports Village and was seen training at the nearby J Davidson Stadium: the home ground of fast-growing local side Altrincham FC, which is located near his former home in Chesire.
But now it looks as though the gloved veteran will soon be swapping practice in non-league surroundings for a role back between the sticks for the Serie A side who many have dubbed a ‘sleeping giant’, with two league titles, six Coppa Italia trophies and a number of other accolades to their name.
‘La Viola’ haven’t won any silverware in over two decades and having cycled through a variety of keepers in the past few seasons, they will be hoping to establish a consistent number one.
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Moreover, if de Gea can rediscover the form that saw him courted by Real Madrid for several years during his tenure at United, the free agent could prove to be an astute bit of business and potentially key in helping their league favour and chances in other competitions.
Once again taking part in the UEFA Conference League and only narrowly missing out on a seventh Italian cup at the hands of an Inter Milan double in 2023/24, could de Gea icon be the difference for a resurgent Fiorentina?
And what about you, Reds – do you prefer life with André Onana or do you miss the days of ‘Dave Saves’?
WWE is returning to Manchester for first-ever box office televised event
Danny Jones
The WWE is coming back to Manchester for what looks set to be one of their biggest overseas event yet, let alone just here in 0161.
Following spectacles such as WWE Live and the ‘Road to Clash in Paris’ last summer, WWE is bringing proper SmackDown scenes to the UK and Europe early next year.
Announcing the blockbuster booking on Monday, 10 August, WWE has chosen the Co-op Live arena to host an unprecedented first televised edition outside of the US this coming January.
Confirming an all-star cast of competitors for one of the franchise’s biggest promotions, this one is a must-not-miss for Manc wrestling fans.
As per the caption of the announcement: “WWE brings the 2027 Road to Royal Rumble European Tour to Co-op Live, the first ever WWE televised event.
“Fans will see their favourite WWE Superstars in action including Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk, Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan, ‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes, Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins, World Tag Team Champions The Vision and many more.”
Last time the world-famous sports entertainment company came to our city, we got to see the likes of Jey Uso, Rhea Ripley, GUNTHER, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair and more.
Safe to say that we have been fortunate enough to see many of their most famous faces grace the canvas already.
Manchester, of course, isn’t the only domestic/European ‘Road to Royal Rumble’ date on the calendar in 2027 either.
For anyone looking to grab tickets for the next Manchester WWE show at Co-op Live, you can sign up to find out all the details at the first opportunity right HERE.
Once again, official Co-op members get early access via the venue’s exclusive pre-sale window, and you can expect general admission to sell out fast, so keep your eyes peeled…
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Co-op Live)/The Manc Group
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New number ‘confirmed’ as Marcus Rashford returns to Manchester United
Danny Jones
Against the odds and the transfer gods, local lad Marcus Rashford has officially rejoined Manchester United for pre-season, and it looks as though his new shirt number has been revealed.
It’s one with a fair bit of significance for a couple of reasons, too.
Yes, despite it looking nailed on for Rashford to have all but left Man United ‘for good’ following two loan stints at Aston Villa and a successful spell at FC Barcelona last term, the Wythenshawe winger has returned to Carrington and now looks set to be reintegrated into the squad.
Just goes to show that besides the Red Devils having seen plenty of sagas in their time, anything can happen in a transfer window.
As you can see, the homegrown United academy product turned first-team star and England international was spotted driving into the team’s training complex to link back up with his former teammates and, indeed, some new faces since he left.
The last time Rashford played for his boyhood and still parent club was back in December 2024, and his most recent loan deal to Barcelona was expected to be made permanent provided he performed well – which, with 14 goals and 10 assists, he did.
Plenty of Barca fans were more eager to see him join his self-proclaimed dream destination full-time, too.
However, not only were the Catalan giants ultimately unwilling to pay the estimated €30 million transfer fee for his services – not to mention his significant wage demands – but after they decided to sign Newcastle and fellow Three Lions attacker Anthony Gordon in a similar position, it never came to fruition.
Now seemingly set to be given another chance in the senior setup and a chance at getting into the first-team squad under Michael Carrick, who has seen every up and down of Rashford’s time at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’; he’s also set to carry on wearing the same shirt number he did for the ‘Blaugrana’.
Reportedly set to take the vacant #14 jersey, which has been free since Christian Eriksen left the club in May 2025, it provides some kind of continuity from his fruitful chapter away from home.
Not only did Rashford supposedly select the shirt while in Spain due to his admiration for Thierry Henry, who famously shared a similar kind of inside forward role throughout his career, but it’s been noted by many fans that it’s also the same number his best mate Jesse Lingard used to wear.
While it remains to be seen how happy the 28-year-old is to have ended up back at Old Trafford, this has at least served as a nice little full-circle coincidence for some supporters.
As for the apparent reintegration process itself – what do you make of it, Reds: are you among those glad to see him back in United colours, or do you think he should still look at a move away from the club in the near future?
Danny Jones -
9th August 2024 
