I will choose to remember David De Gea for what he was at the pinnacle of his time at United-the best goalkeeper in the world.

Over the course of 12 years, there are genuinely countless moments where he made saves that only a handful of professional keepers- if that many- could make.

He was the best player in a period of subpar United teams. But he was genuinely world class for a consistent run of years in that period as well.

Reflexes, agility, positioning, timing – the man was untouchable in these aspects.

Dexterity with the feet in making saves- in a league of his own.

Incredible at one on ones and ‘point blank range’ situations. He was always calm, focused and more times than not forced the attacker to make the decision.

He saved United from humiliation on so many days during what was the worst spell in the club’s history in recent memory. And perhaps, this is why his departure now is fitting. United, both on and off the field, are coming out of that spell.

De Gea’s fantastic form over the years earned not only himself; but United players, staff, managers, board members and owners; contracts, wages and time at the club that they should not have had.

We do not need a Saviour to paper over the cracks anymore. The walls need to come down and be rebuilt. This is what Ten Hag is doing. The narrative must no longer be ‘where would United be without De Gea’ because that narrative was a damning reflection on the quality of the players (in particular defence and midfield) around him in those United teams and the style of football and coaching.

If players are bad, they need to be addressed. If the style of football exposes weaknesses more than strengths, that needs to be addressed. De Gea, for too long and by virtue of his greatness, played a part in preventing this. Ten Hag has finally been the man to put his foot down on these issues.

Last season, the 22/23 season, was perhaps the most fitting send off De Gea could have gotten. Golden glove, with the best defence he had consistently in front of him since maybe 12/13. Extended his record of appearances and clean sheets for a United goalkeeper. Played in finals. Won a trophy. Continued to show that he is capable of making phenomenal saves.

It was clear that at one point, OGS as manager was attempting to transition Dean Henderson to take over the #1 spot. But Henderson is no De Gea, who continued to be so imperious that when the team performances in the outfield started to go sideways, OGS was forced to keep De Gea between the sticks to make up for those team failures.

Make no mistake, in the 22/23 season, there were team failures in the outfield for United. But Ten Hag, in his mastery, addressed these as best he could and he clearly has a plan for how his team is going to play in the coming seasons. The result is that subpar United teams will become a thing of the past.

De Gea is no longer needed to be the best player on the team. He no longer has to have the responsibility of saving us from humiliation. And this is perhaps the best way to respectfully rationalize his departure. For all his service, for all his heroics over the years, for genuinely loving the club and the fans, for dealing with all the personal and team criticism (justified or not), for shouldering the weight of expectation- he is now free.

The storm is nearing its end and the man who kept United afloat for all those years deserves peace. He deserves to be able to choose somewhere less demanding to work. He deserves to be able to make the wages he wants to make and is still entitled to. He deserves less vitriol and more relaxing environment for him and his family.

He deserves to be able to look at the progress United will make, without the rigours of being involved in that process which he endured for so long, and to be proud of his work in the past that led to him ushering in a new era of success.

The day will come, I am sure, when he returns to Old Trafford and he will have his moment with the fans who saw him day in and day out for years. But for now, and as I am sure he will understand, the club comes first, sentiment comes after.

Thank you Legend.