Sir Alex Ferguson’s Unlikely Secret: The Real Reason Behind David de Gea’s Manchester United Move
Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is known for his unwavering dedication to his team, but there’s one instance where his loyalty was put to the test. In 2010, Ferguson broke one of his strict rules by missing a United match to scout a young and promising goalkeeper – David de Gea.
Ferguson, who managed the Red Devils for 26 years, winning 13 Premier League titles and 59.7% of his games, only missed three matches in his entire tenure. The first two instances were understandable, as he was attending his son’s wedding on the same day as a Manchester derby and for his brother’s wife’s funeral. However, the third and final time was much more unusual.
United faced Scunthorpe in a League Cup tie that October, and despite the team’s convincing 5-2 win, Ferguson was nowhere to be found. Instead, he was in Spain, watching Valencia take on Atletico Madrid. It’s no coincidence that Ferguson was there to scout the young De Gea, who was just 19 years old at the time.
Ferguson’s interest in De Gea wasn’t just a passing fancy. Eric Steele, the team’s former goalkeeping coach, revealed that Ferguson knew De Gea was the right man to replace Edwin van der Sar, who was nearing the end of his career. Steele remembered showing Ferguson a three-minute DVD compilation of De Gea’s skills and the manager was convinced after just 65 minutes of watching him play.
Fast-forward to 2011, and Ferguson’s gut instinct proved to be spot on. United signed De Gea for £19 million, and despite some initial struggles, the young Spaniard went on to become one of the greatest goalkeepers in United’s history. He won the club’s Player of the Year award four times, set a record for most clean sheets, and established himself as one of the best shot-stoppers in the world.
De Gea’s departure from United last summer marked the end of an era, but it’s clear that Ferguson’s early scouting report played a significant role in his rise to fame. With Erik ten Hag opting to replace De Gea with Andre Onana, the young goalkeeper has since found a new home with Fiorentina, where he’s played five times so far.
As we look back on Ferguson’s managerial legacy, it’s stories like these that remind us of his dedication to the game and his ability to identify top talent. It’s a testament to his ability to adapt and evolve, even in his later years as a manager.
Follow us on all social media platforms for more updates, behind-the-scenes content, and expert analysis in the world of football!