David de Gea posts cryptic message amid reports of Manchester United return

David de Gea has posted an ambiguous message on X, formerly known as Twitter, amid reports of a shock return to Manchester United.

De Gea, 32, was released at the end of his Red Devils contract earlier in June this year. He was replaced by Andre Onana, who arrived in a potential £48 million deal from Serie A giants Inter Milan last July.

However, Onana has struggled to fill the void left by the ex-Atletico Madrid man in the initial stages of his Old Trafford career. He has conceded 20 goals in 13 games so far, registering just four clean sheets.

Earlier this week, The Sun reported that Manchester United are prepared to admit their mistake of letting De Gea leave in the summer. The Red Devils are in talks to facilitate the Spaniard's surprise return.

Now, De Gea has added fuel to fire by posting a thinking emoji on X:

"🤔"

The Old Trafford outfit, who also have Altay Bayindir in their squad, are believed to be hoping that De Gea will return on a short-term deal. They reportedly regard him as the top option to deputize for Onana, who is due to head off to the Africa Cup of Nations next January.

De Gea, who joined Manchester United from Atletico Madrid for around £18 million in 2011, featured in 545 overall appearances for Erik ten Hag's side. He broke their clean sheets record with 190 to his name.

Manchester United stars urged to be clinical in final third to end in top four spot in league

Speaking after the Red Devils' latest 2-1 win at Sheffield United, Newcastle United great Alan Shearer claimed that Manchester United attackers need to start scoring consistently this season. He said (h/t Manchester Evening News):

"If they want to get top four, one thing has to change and that is the forwards have to chip in more with goals. Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Martial, you have got to ask for more, you have got to demand more when you are getting into these sort of positions."

Sharing further thoughts on United's lack of goals, Shearer continued:

"They are getting into the positions and they are creating the chances so I guess the time to worry is when you are not doing that at all. But there are stats: McTominay is their top goal-scorer and he has only started three league games and scored three goals."

Marcus Rashford, who netted 30 times last campaign, has scored just once in nine league matches so far this campaign. On the other hand, Rasmus Hojlund, Antony, Anthony Martial, and Alejandro Garnacho are all yet to open their Premier League account in the 2023-24 season.

Meanwhile, Manchester United are currently eighth in the domestic standings with 15 points from nine games. They have scored 11 league goals so far, and are five points away from fourth-placed Liverpool.