De Gea’s Top 5 Manchester United Teammates: Lukaku Selection Sparks Debate
Former Manchester United goalkeeper, David de Gea, has created quite a stir among football enthusiasts by revealing his selection of the five best players he played alongside during his time at Old Trafford.
The Spanish shot-stopper, who joined the Red Devils in 2011 from Atletico Madrid for around £18.9 million, enjoyed a long and distinguished career with the club. After overcoming an initial period of adaptation, De Gea firmly established himself as Manchester United’s first-choice goalkeeper for over a decade.
During his impressive 12-year tenure, De Gea amassed a remarkable 545 appearances for Manchester United before departing at the end of the 2022/23 season. Throughout this period, he shared the dressing room and the pitch with some of the biggest names in world football, including iconic figures like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Unsurprisingly, both Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo were indeed namechecked by De Gea when he was recently asked to list his top five Manchester United teammates. However, it’s the inclusion of other names in his elite group that has truly got fans talking.
De Gea’s Manchester United Dream Team: Surprises and Fan Reactions
As reported by Football Italia, in a recent interview, the experienced goalkeeper detailed his five standout colleagues from his Manchester United days. De Gea stated: “Van Persie, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney, Ibrahimovic and Lukaku.”
Adding a personal anecdote, De Gea also revealed a competitive edge among these star players, noting, “But when they didn’t score against me in training, they also got frustrated.” This comment highlights the high standards and winning mentality within the Manchester United setup during his time.
However, it was the mention of Romelu Lukaku that triggered the most significant reaction across social media platforms. Many fans expressed surprise at the Belgian striker’s inclusion, given his mixed spell at Old Trafford.
- One fan questioned: “I know Lukaku had a decent career but at United he wasn’t great???”
- Another simply commented with a puzzled: “Lukaku???”
- A third echoed the sentiment, stating: “Surprised by Lukaku, he did nothing at United.”
These reactions reflect the general perception among some Manchester United fans that Lukaku, while a prolific goalscorer elsewhere, didn’t consistently reach his full potential during his time at the club. Despite scoring goals, his overall contribution and link-up play were sometimes criticised.
Romelu Lukaku and David de Gea in action for Manchester United. Image: Getty
Since his departure from Manchester United, De Gea has embarked on a new chapter in his career, joining Italian Serie A side Fiorentina.
Discussing his experience in Italy, De Gea expressed contentment: “I signed for one year and the club has an option to renew. I’m happy in Florence and at Fiorentina, but first we need to finish the season in the best possible way.”
He also spoke enthusiastically about his new surroundings: “The city is wonderful, and the people are amazing. The club has a unique history, and the Franchi excites me.”
De Gea continued, highlighting the allure of Serie A and Fiorentina’s project: “It’s beautiful and passionate. I immediately said yes to Fiorentina, Serie A has always attracted me. I like everything, starting from the Viola Park [Fiorentina’s training ground], where I lived for the first couple of months. President Commisso and coach Palladino have a vision; there is a solid bond. We want to push as hard as possible to secure a spot in Europe and try to win the Conference League.”
Fiorentina’s fans will be eagerly anticipating their upcoming match against Atalanta at the Stadio Artemio Franchi this weekend.
De Gea’s Top 5 Manchester United Teammates:
- Robin van Persie
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Wayne Rooney
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- Romelu Lukaku
What do you think of David de Gea’s choices? Do you agree with his top 5 Manchester United teammates, or would you have made different selections? Share your opinions in the comments below!