The Spanish goalkeeper Old Trafford after 12 years in 2023 and spent a year without a club before joining Serie A outfit Fiorentina, although he snubbed other opportunities in English football as it would have been "impossible" for him to play for anyone other than the Red Devils.

De Gea told Cronache: "I turned down offers from England because after spending so many years at a club like United, you feel like you don't want to play for another club in England.

"I only wanted Manchester United, and while it's true that I received offers from England, I knew it would be impossible for me to play anywhere else. I've spent my whole life there; it's the club that shaped me and allowed me to have a wonderful career.

"I felt it was time to rest and come back even stronger."

De Gea linked up with goalkeeping coach Craig Ellison during his year out of the game and explained how they formed an immediate bond.

The keeper said: "I lived between Madrid and Manchester. When I felt like I wanted to get back into coaching to get back into shape, I started looking for a goalkeeping coach to help me.

"They recommended Craig Ellison, and from the first training session, our relationship immediately took shape. There was a wonderful connection, he's a phenomenon both as a person and as a coach, I love him dearly.

"A friendship was born. He helped me during that break: I trained a lot and we spent a lot of time together. Lots of chats with an exceptional guy.

"During this year off, which was special for me given that I'd been playing at a high level for 15 years, I trained at the Spanish national team's federal training centre and on a fifth division pitch in England. I think this year off did me great mentally and physically."