The 32-year-old’s deal with the Old Trafford club had ended at the end of June, making him a free agent.

De Gea has been a goalkeeper for United for 12 years. He has played 545 times and kept 190 clean sheets, which are both club records for a goalkeeper.

He wrote on social media, “I just wanted to say goodbye to all Manchester United fans with this message.”

De Gea began his career with Atletico Madrid. In 2011, he moved to United for £18.9m.

United boss Erik ten Hag’s team is hoping to sign Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana. The news that he is leaving comes at the same time.

De Gea also said, “I’d like to say how grateful and thankful I am for all the love over the past 12 years.” Since my good friend Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club, we’ve done a lot.

“I was so proud of myself every time I put on this shirt. Leading the team and representing the biggest club in the world was an honor that only a few lucky players get to have.

“Since I came here, it’s been a great and amazing time. When I left Madrid as a young boy, I didn’t think we would do what we did together.

“Now is a good time to take on a new task and push myself in a new place.

“Manchester will always be in my heart. Manchester has changed me and will never leave me.”

It is thought that the terms of a deal extension that United and De Gea had agreed to at first were later changed.

Both sides took a step back to think about the scenario and how it turned out this way.

De Gea has been linked to a move to the Saudi Pro League. While at United, he won the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Uefa Europa League, and two Carabao Cups.

He has won United’s player of the year award four times, and last season, when he kept 17 clean sheets, he won the Premier League Golden Glove for the second time.

“The fact that both the fans and his teammates named him player of the year four times each shows how well he played, and he will always be remembered as one of the best goalkeepers in the club’s history,” Ten Hag said.