THEY say you should never go back to past relationships.
However, who doesn’t love a story of rekindled romance?
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It can have a particularly heart-string-pulling impact within the context of football, with numerous stories of past club heroes returning to their old stomping grounds for one last hurrah.
And for Manchester United – the club that is hated, adored and never ignored by millions – they have had plenty of their own emotional storylines like this.
As exclusively revealed by SunSport, the club are now exploring that old plot point by considering an offer to bring former shot-stopping hero David de Gea back to Old Trafford.
The Spaniard, who was finally handed a proper goodbye from fans last weekend after an unceremonious exit two years ago, is now on club chiefs’ transfer radar as they hunt for a new goalkeeper.
The 34-year-old put in an impressive display for Fiorentina during a friendly against Ruben Amorim‘s side last weekend, and with United eyeing a goalkeeper, a deal could be on the cards.
However, how have previous United comebacks worked out for other stars? SunSport has hit the history books to find out.
PAUL SCHOLES
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Announced his retirement three days after the Champions League final defeat in 2011 – but seven months later he was back in the first team.
Not quite the same but a few flashes of his old self and helped Fergie to one last Prem title before hanging up his boots for good in summer 2013.
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CRISTIANO RONALDO
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Arrived back to great acclaim after 12 years away in summer 2021 – as United nicked him from under the noses of City.
His first season was OK although cracks started to appear as it wore on and he left in autumn 2022 after going public with some stinging criticism of the club.
MARK HUGHES
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Came back after playing for Barcelona and Bayern Munich in 1988 and was arguably better in his second spell which lasted seven years.
Helped United end their long wait to win the league title – as well as inspiring them to a memorable Cup Winners Cup triumph in 1991.
PAUL POGBA
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Starred for United’s youth teams in his teens and returned for a British record fee of £89million after starring for Juventus in Italy – but never quite lived up to his price tag.
Helped United to a couple of trophies but there were question marks over his attitude and went back to his old club in Turin six years later.
JONNY EVANS
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Came through the ranks at Old Trafford and returned in 2023 – initially on a short-term deal to cover injuries. But he then signed a one-year deal and another before retiring last summer.
In the meantime, he helped them win an FA Cup to enhance his standing with the fans further.
TOM HEATON
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Started off at United and looks likely to finish there too. Currently serves as the club’s third-choice keeper but has made a couple of appearances since he returned in summer 2021.
Also on the captaincy committee and a key voice in the dressing room with all his experience.
LES SEALEY
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A hero of the FA Cup success in 1990, he returned to the club in January 1993 as Peter Schmeichel’s understudy.
He made just two first team appearances in his second spell before joining Blackpool on a free transfer.
MARK BOSNICH
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Big shoes to fill as he was brought back to take the place of Schmeichel seven years after leaving to join Aston Villa.
His one season as first choice was mixed and Ferguson brought in Fabian Barthez at the end of it and Bosnich soon found himself as number three.
Man Utd’s transfer deals
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- Bryan Mbeumo – from Brentford – £71m
- Matheus Cunha – from Wolves – £62.5m
- Diego Leon – from Cerro Porteno – £7m
- Benjamin Sesko – from RB Leipzig – £74m
TOTAL – £214.5m
OUT
- Victor Lindelof – released
- Christian Eriksen – released
TOTAL – £0m
