Bruno Fernandes has taken a poignant swipe at Manchester United following David de Gea’s departure from the club. The Spaniard, who announced his exit in a heartfelt Instagram post after his contract expired, received a mixed reaction from his former teammates.

Fernandes expressed his frustration at the way De Gea’s departure was handled, feeling that the keeper deserved a proper farewell from Old Trafford. In his post, Fernandes wrote: “You deserved to say goodbye at the stadium with all the fans cheering you for all the beautiful memories. You made history at the club and your name will never be forgotten, and no one can take that away from you. All the best for what’s coming for you and your family.”

De Gea, who leaves United after a remarkable 12-year tenure, departs with a collection of silverware including the Premier League, Europa League, and FA Cup, along with the League Cup won last season. Despite discussions about a potential pay cut to stay at the club, De Gea’s final season looks to have been marked by his departure, as Manchester United nears the signing of Andre Onana from Inter Milan.

In his farewell message, De Gea reflected on his journey: “I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters. I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years. We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club. I took incredible pride every time I pulled on this shirt, to lead the team, to represent this institution, the biggest club in the world was an honor only bestowed upon a few lucky footballers. It’s been an unforgettable and successful period since I came here. I didn’t think from leaving Madrid as a young boy we would achieve what we did together. Now, it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge, to push myself again in new surroundings. Manchester will always be in my heart; Manchester has shaped me and will never leave me. We’ve seen it all.”