It may seem like a long time ago, but it has been just 12 months since Manchester United’s number one, David de Gea, was apparently ready to join Real Madrid.
Everything was in place, with Manchester United lining up a replacement ‘keeper in the form of Keylor Navas.
Navas accepts. De Gea deal done!! â¬40m all-in. £29m. Manchester United happy – near record for player with 1 year left
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 31, 2015
But somewhere along the line, something went wrong.
The documents did not arrive on time!!!!!! Presentation was ready. All agreed. But as it stands de Gea stays at MUFC!!
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 31, 2015
Fingers were pointed, as both sides remained adamant that the blame did not lie with them. We can’t picture Manchester United officials frantically trying to repair a faulty fax machine though…
From Madrid: United did not send paperwork on time. From United: we did. The mystery continues
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 31, 2015
And as a result, some have wryly noticed that this year’s transfer deadline day marks exactly 12 months since the incident.
ð ON THIS DAY: In 2015, Real Madrid sign David de Gea from Man Utd with Keylor Navas joining the Red Devils. pic.twitter.com/aySUg92nqs
— bet365 (@bet365) August 31, 2016
It’s safe to say this is an anniversary Manchester United fans are more than happy to celebrate.
1 year ago today:
– We signed Anthony Martial
– David de Gea's Madrid move collapsed due to a fax machine
What a difference these made.— Dabbermen (@BeastFosuMensah) August 31, 2016
Some recognised how remarkable it was that the goalkeeper was still with the club.
No Champions League for #MUFC and Real Madrid just won the Champions League. Despite that, to retain David de Gea is remarkable.
— Naveen Ullal (@UllalIBT) August 31, 2016
Others were simply overjoyed to be reminded of the occasion. What a save!
a year since David De Gea Gate, the Fax Machine Saga & the best #TransferDeadlineDay saga ever. #DAVESAVES pic.twitter.com/1yXgH5K6c5
— Adam Joseph (@AdamJosephSport) August 31, 2016
And it’s a safe bet that one signing Real Madrid might have made was a new fax machine.
Real madrid have lost faith in transfer windows after the 2015 De Gea debacle..
Haven't turned the "fax machine" on since.#DeadlineDay— Sportsgasm (@romi_pranz) August 31, 2016
Maybe send the contract through the post next time?
