I play with David de Gea - it's absurd Manchester United let him go

David de Gea left Man United in July 2023 after 12 years at Old Trafford.

Fiorentina attacker Albert Gudmundsson has heaped praise on goalkeeper David de Gea, describing Manchester United's decision to let him leave as "absurd".

After 12 seasons at Old Trafford, De Gea was released by United following the conclusion of the 2022/23 season. He had originally been set to be offered a new contract but United chiefs changed their minds after he was guilty of committing some costly errors towards the end of the campaign.

The Spaniard, 34, had joined United from Atletico Madrid in 2011, succeeding Edwin van der Sar as the club's first-choice goalkeeper. He made 545 appearances for United, winning eight trophies in the process.

After leaving United in July 2023, De Gea did not secure a return to football until the following August, joining Italian side Fiorentina. Following just over a year out, he has revived his career this term, making 27 appearances for the Serie A side.

And Gudmundsson, who is on loan at Fiorentina from Genoa, says he is honoured to share a dressing room with the former United shot-stopper.

Gudmundsson, as quoted by TMW, said: "It's absurd that Manchester United decided to let go of someone like him.

"He's a great guy, a very humble person with whom I talk about everything. On top of that, he played eleven years in the Premier League, winning numerous titles.

"He's the best goalkeeper I've ever played with in my career, and it's amazing to share the pitch with him. We're talking about a top player."

United replaced De Gea with Andre Onana ahead of the start of the 2023/24 season, drafting him in from Inter Milan. However, the Cameroonian has rarely offered the distribution skills that were so often on show at Inter and has made some costly mistakes.