No disappointment at my Old Trafford exit insists De Gea

Robin Gosens scores an own goal past keeper David de Gea in Manchester United's draw with Fiorentina on Saturday

- By SIMON PEACH

DAVID DE GEA says there are no hard feelings over his Manchester United exit but admitted after his emotional Old Trafford return that he did contemplate retirement before joining Fiorentina.

The 34-year-old’s name echoed around the ground he called home for 12 years after captain Bruno Fernandes led a special presentation ahead of Saturday’s friendly against the Serie A side.

De Gea joined Fiorentina last August after spending a year without a club following his Old Trafford exit after United’s FA Cup final loss to Manchester City.

That was the last of 545 matches he played for the club, putting him in seventh place in their list of all-time appearance makers, and fans gave him a standing ovation when he was replaced towards the end of 1-1 draw on Saturday.

“It was great,” De Gea said. “It's been a long time since I've been back here, so it’s been a special day.