Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has named the five greatest players he shared the pitch with during his time at Old Trafford.
Speaking to La Repubblica, the 34-year-old reflected on his twelve-year stint at the club and highlighted the teammates who left the biggest impression on him.
De Gea, widely regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers of his generation, selected a group of former teammates that includes both expected icons and a couple of surprise inclusions.
He made over 500 appearances for United between 2011 and 2023, collecting multiple honours, including the Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League and two Player of the Year awards.
In that time, he lined up alongside some of the game’s biggest names.
Among those chosen was Robin van Persie, the Dutch striker whose 2012/13 campaign was crucial in securing United’s most recent league title.
Arriving from Arsenal, Van Persie netted 30 times in all competitions that season, providing the firepower Sir Alex Ferguson needed in his final year as manager.
De Gea also named Cristiano Ronaldo among his top five, despite the Portuguese icon’s short second stint at the club. Ronaldo returned to United in 2021 to huge fanfare and made an immediate impact, scoring 24 goals in his comeback season. Though the team struggled collectively, De Gea had high praise for Ronaldo’s professionalism and influence.
Wayne Rooney, United’s all-time top scorer, was another inclusion.
De Gea and Rooney shared a dressing room for six seasons, during which time the England legend transitioned from an explosive forward to a more withdrawn role. Despite his gradual decline in his later years at the club, Rooney’s leadership and output clearly left a mark on the Spanish keeper.
A more left-field pick came in the form of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whose United career lasted just two seasons.
The Swede joined from Paris Saint-Germain in 2016 and immediately imposed himself on the squad, both with his personality and performances.
He scored 28 goals in his debut campaign and helped United lift the EFL Cup and Europa League before injury cut his momentum short.
The final selection, perhaps the most surprising of all, was Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian striker’s time at United is often viewed as underwhelming, but De Gea held him in higher regard. Lukaku joined from Everton in 2017 and scored 27 goals in his debut campaign.
Though his form tailed off and he was eventually sold to Inter Milan, his inclusion signals the appreciation De Gea had for his efforts.
Notably absent from the list were some of United’s most high-profile players in recent years, such as current club captain Bruno Fernandes or Paul Pogba. Even stalwarts like Nemanja Vidić or Rio Ferdinand were overlooked in favour of more attack-minded stars.
De Gea’s choices reflect a personal appreciation for match-winning impact and influence, rather than simply longevity or reputation. Each of the five offered a distinct presence in their respective eras, whether it was Van Persie’s title-clinching brilliance or Ibrahimovic’s short but electrifying stay.
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Raj Dholakia
Raj is a seasoned digital writer and editor with a deep-seated passion for football. With over four years in the digital space, he has contributed to Sportlens, ManUtdNews, and is now proudly writing for The Peoples Person. His work is driven by a commitment to capture the essence of football, delivering content that speaks to the heart of fans worldwide.
