Man Utd broke British transfer record 14 years ago, £19m signing set for one final appearance at Old Trafford

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One of Manchester United’s record signings is set to return to Old Trafford this summer.

Manchester United have made a quick start to the summer transfer window with a £62.5m deal for Matheus Cunha from Wolves.

Now, Ineos have made two bids for Bryan Mbeumo and Amorim wants four more signings to complete a summer overhaul.

One of those four signings will likely be a goalkeeper with United linked to Diogo Costa as a potential replacement for Andre Onana.

Fourteen years ago, Sir Alex Ferguson made a big-money move for a goalkeeper who turned into a club legend.

Man United broke record to sign David de Gea in 2011

With Edwin van der Sar leaving in 2011, Ferguson found himself needing a new No.1 at United.

Ferguson personally scouted David de Gea before giving the green light to sign the Spanish shot-stopper in a £19m deal.

At the time, it set a new British record with De Gea becoming the most expensive goalkeeper signed in the Premier League.

During his 12 years as a United player, De Gea broke saving records around Europe and also topped the club’s all-time appearance list for goalkeepers.

• Manchester United’s highest appearance makers of all-time

The Spaniard left United in 2023, but De Gea has shown he still loves United by continuing to interact with the club and his former teammates since his exit.

David de Gea set for one final Old Trafford appearance

Having cemented his status as a United legend, De Gea is set to return to Old Trafford this summer.

United’s pre-season schedule sees Amorim’s squad jet out to the United States to participate in the Premier League Summer Series.

But upon their return to Manchester, a friendly against Fiorentina has been scheduled on August 9th, one week before the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

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De Gea has been ‘world class’ at Fiorentina, and now he will have a chance to return to Old Trafford for the first time since his exit.

With the Red Devils not in any European competition this season there is no possibility of facing De Gea again, and there is a good chance it could be his last ever appearance at the Theatre of Dreams.