Goalkeeper David de Gea Announces he is Leaving Manchester United

(FILES) Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea saves a headed attempt from Fulham's Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (not pictured) during the English FA Cup quarter-final football match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, on March 19, 2023. AFP
(FILES) Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea saves a headed attempt from Fulham's Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (not pictured) during the English FA Cup quarter-final football match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, on March 19, 2023. AFP
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Goalkeeper David de Gea Announces he is Leaving Manchester United

(FILES) Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea saves a headed attempt from Fulham's Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (not pictured) during the English FA Cup quarter-final football match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, on March 19, 2023. AFP
(FILES) Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea saves a headed attempt from Fulham's Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (not pictured) during the English FA Cup quarter-final football match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, on March 19, 2023. AFP

Veteran goalkeeper David de Gea has announced he is leaving Manchester United as a free agent after 12 seasons at Old Trafford.
The 32-year-old's contract with United expired at the end of June, with no new deal agreed despite talks that took place throughout the season.
De Gea joined United from Atletico Madrid in 2011 and made 545 appearances for the Premier League club which included 190 clean sheets — both club records for a keeper.
In a message on social media on Saturday, De Gea thanked United fans for their support but said: “Now, it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge, to push myself again in new surroundings.”
When De Gea’s contract expired last Friday, United said they remained in talks with the Spain goalkeeper.
That followed reports that De Gea had signed a contract extension only for the club to withdraw that offer and come back with reduced terms.
United has been linked with a move for Inter Milan keeper Andre Onana.
“I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years," De Gea wrote. "We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club."
He added: “Manchester will always be in my heart, Manchester has shaped me and will never leave me. We’ve seen it all.”
United manager Erik ten Hag paid tribute to the departing De Gea, who won the Premier League’s golden glove last season, The Associated Press reported.
“It takes great quality and character to reach the level of even playing one game for Manchester United," Ten Hag said. “To do it 545 times over 12 years is a special achievement, particularly in the goalkeeping position where every game puts you in the spotlight.
“To have won Player of the Year awards from both the fans and his teammates, each on four occasions, shows the level of his performance and he will always be remembered as one of the very best goalkeepers in the history of the club."



Slot: Liverpool's Isak Faces Two Months Out After 'Reckless' Tackle

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - December 20, 2025 Liverpool's Alexander Isak receives medical attention due to an injury after scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - December 20, 2025 Liverpool's Alexander Isak receives medical attention due to an injury after scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
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Slot: Liverpool's Isak Faces Two Months Out After 'Reckless' Tackle

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - December 20, 2025 Liverpool's Alexander Isak receives medical attention due to an injury after scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - December 20, 2025 Liverpool's Alexander Isak receives medical attention due to an injury after scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

Alexander Isak is expected to be out of action for two months after fracturing his leg against Tottenham, with Liverpool manager Arne Slot accusing Tottenham's Micky van de Ven of making a "reckless challenge".

The Sweden striker was injured in a tackle from the defender in the act of scoring the opening goal in Saturday's 2-1 victory and limped off the pitch, said AFP.

Liverpool said in a statement on Monday that the forward had had an operation on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture.

"It's going to be a long injury, for a couple of months," Slot told reporters on Tuesday, "So, yeah, that's a big, big, big disappointment for him. And as a result also of course for us."

Slot described Van de Ven's tackle as "reckless".

"I think I said a lot about the tackle of Xavi Simons (sent off earlier in the game for Spurs), which for me was completely unintentional, and I don't think you will ever get an injury out of a tackle like that.

"The tackle of Van de Ven, if you make that tackle 10 times, I think 10 times there's a serious chance that a player gets a serious injury."

Isak's injury is the latest setback for the forward after he signed from Newcastle for a British record £125 million ($168 million) in September.

A dispute with Newcastle meant he did not have a proper pre-season program and arrived at Liverpool well behind his team-mates in terms of fitness.

His season was then interrupted by a groin injury.

The 26-year-old has scored just three goals in 16 appearances since completing his protracted move to Anfield.

Isak's absence will be a major blow for Reds boss Slot, with Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations and Cody Gakpo not ready to return from a muscle injury until early in the new year.

It leaves Slot with Hugo Ekitike, who has five goals in his past four games, and the little-used Federico Chiesa as his only senior forwards.

Liverpool, whose Premier League title defense collapsed after a shocking run of results, have climbed to fifth in the table after extending their unbeaten league run to five games.

Isak's injury raises the prospect of Liverpool moving to boost their attack in the January transfer window, with Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo linked with a move to Anfield.

It may also change the conversation around Salah following his recent claim that he had been thrown under the bus by the club and no longer had a relationship with Slot.

Salah's rant, which came after he was left on the bench for three successive matches, prompted Liverpool to leave him out of the squad for a Champions League match at Inter Milan.

But he returned to action as a substitute against Brighton before leaving for international duty.

Liverpool host bottom side Wolves on Saturday.


Saudi Weightlifting Team Wins 36 Medals at Qatar Cup, Arab, West Asian Championships

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Weightlifting Team Wins 36 Medals at Qatar Cup, Arab, West Asian Championships

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

The Qatar International Weightlifting Cup, the Arab Weightlifting Championship and the West Asian Weightlifting Championship began concurrently in the State of Qatar, with the participation of several regional national teams.

The Saudi national team is taking part with 36 male and female lifters across various age categories, reflecting the expansion of the sport’s base and its continued technical and competitive development in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency said on Tuesday.

The Saudi team delivered a strong performance, securing a total of 36 medals, including 27 gold and nine silver medals.

Abdullah Al-Zubaidi won six gold medals in the snatch, the clean and jerk, and the total in the youth 56 kg category in the Arab and West Asian competitions. Mohammed Al-Ajyan claimed 12 gold medals in the snatch, the clean and jerk, and the total in the youth and junior 60 kg categories in the Arab and West Asian competitions.

In the senior category, Aqeel Al-Jassim captured nine gold medals in the snatch, the clean and jerk, and the total in the 60 kg category at the Qatar International Weightlifting Cup and the Arab and West Asian competitions, while Mansour Al-Saleem earned nine silver medals in the same weight category.


Reports: Liverpool Fear Isak Has Broken Leg

Liverpool's Swedish striker #09 Alexander Isak (C) is helped off the field by medical staff after picking up an injury during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on December 20, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
Liverpool's Swedish striker #09 Alexander Isak (C) is helped off the field by medical staff after picking up an injury during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on December 20, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
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Reports: Liverpool Fear Isak Has Broken Leg

Liverpool's Swedish striker #09 Alexander Isak (C) is helped off the field by medical staff after picking up an injury during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on December 20, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
Liverpool's Swedish striker #09 Alexander Isak (C) is helped off the field by medical staff after picking up an injury during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on December 20, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)

Liverpool are awaiting scan results they fear will confirm record signing Alexander Isak has suffered a broken leg after he was injured in their win against Tottenham, reports said Monday.

The Sweden forward was hurt in the act of scoring the opening goal in Saturday's 2-1 victory in London after a sliding challenge from Spurs defender Micky van der Ven.

Isak, 26, who had come on as a second-half substitute, was unable to celebrate with his teammates and left the pitch in considerable distress.

Immediately after the game Liverpool boss Arne Slot admitted the injury was "not a good thing".

"If a player doesn't even try to come back, that is usually not a good thing but I cannot say anything more than that," AFP quoted him as saying.

"That is just gut feeling and nothing medical... let's not be too negative yet. We don't know yet. Let's hope he is back with us soon."

The Athletic and Sky Sports reported Monday that Liverpool fear Isak has broken his leg, which would mean a lengthy period on the sidelines.

Isak has had a disrupted start to his life at Anfield, making just 16 appearances and scoring three goals since his £125 million ($168 million) British record move from Newcastle on transfer deadline day.

A dispute with Newcastle meant he did not have a proper pre-season program and arrived at Anfield well behind his team-mates in terms of fitness. His season was then interrupted by a groin injury.

Any absence would be a major blow for Slot, with Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations and Cody Gakpo not ready to return from a muscle injury until early in the yew year.

It leaves the Liverpool manager with Hugo Ekitike, who has five goals in his past four games, and the little-used Federico Chiesa as his only senior forwards.

Liverpool, whose Premier League title defense collapsed after a shocking run of results, have climbed to fifth in the table after extending their unbeaten league run to five games.