Date: 28th May 2021 at 7:27pm
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He has been the hero of Old Trafford on countless occasions, but De Gea became the fall guy in Gdansk in Manchester United’s defeat to Villarreal in Wednesday night’s Europa League final. 

For years, the Spanish goalkeeper had established himself as arguably the best goalkeeper in world football, but this campaign has not been kind to the former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper.

He was displaced by United prospect Dean Henderson this season, but De Gea was given his opportunity for glory against Villarreal in what could be his last game for the club.

In what was a penalty shootout masterclass by both Villarreal and United, De Gea looked aghast when he had to step up to the spot with the penalty shootout score at 11-10.

De Gea missed the decisive penalty in the Europa League final

The 30-year-old stopper did not look confident and his tame effort was saved easily by Yellow Submarine goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, sending the Spanish supporters crazy.

De Gea was crestfallen, while his opposite number was flocked by his ecstatic team mates.

The Spaniard’s days at Old Trafford look numbered, as reports from The Sun suggest United are set to return to De Gea’s parent club Atletico Madrid to sign Slovenian stopper Jan Oblak.

Oblak would be valued at a hefty £70 million

Oblak was a titanic force for Atletico as Diego Simeone’s side beat Barcelona and Real Madrid to the top of La Liga to win their first league title since 2014.

The 28-year old goalkeeper has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world since arriving from Benfica in 2014 for around £12 million.

While the general expectation for most of the season has been Henderson would take over between the sticks from De Gea in the long term, sources have suggested Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants an instant solution in Oblak.

Oblak is not only ridiculously good, he is also still relatively young for a goalkeeper; therefore, Atletico can still command a significant fee of around £70 million for his services.

Reports have suggested United could sweeten the deal by offering De Gea in exchange, which would see the Spaniard return home to the very club he was signed from in the summer of 2011.

 
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