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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>De Gea wished Mata on his 35th birthday</li><li>Compared him to Malcolm in the Middle star </li><li>Goalkeeper remains free agent since leaving Man Utd </li></ul>

David de Gea sends hilarious birthday message to Juan Mata as ex-Man Utd goalkeeper compares former team-mate to Malcolm in the Middle protagonist

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De Gea, who spent eight years at United and six years in the Spain national team with Juan Mata, wished the midfielder a happy birthday on social media as the ex-Red Devils and Chelsea player turned 35 on April 28.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The goalkeeper uploaded three different Instagram stories tagging his close friend. The first story comprised a photograph of the duo from a Spain national team training, where he wrote, "Happy birthday Amigo. Best of the best."<picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltacc12744a429e8e2/IMG_20240428_202537.jpg?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltacc12744a429e8e2/IMG_20240428_202537.jpg?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltacc12744a429e8e2/IMG_20240428_202537.jpg?format=jpg" alt="David De Gea Juan Mata" data-source="David De Gea Instagram" data-copyright="David De Gea Instagram" data-portal-copyright="David De Gea Instagram" perform:prop="uuid:bltacc12744a429e8e2;width:1080;height:1842"></picture>In the second story, he uploaded a major throwback photograph of Mata from his Real Oviedo days. The third photograph was an image of Malcolm in the Middle protagonist Malcolm, portrayed by actor Frankie Muniz.<picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt2fe4a49eabcab830/IMG_20240428_202520.jpg?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt2fe4a49eabcab830/IMG_20240428_202520.jpg?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt2fe4a49eabcab830/IMG_20240428_202520.jpg?format=jpg" alt="Juan Mata David De Gea" data-source="David De Gea Instagram" data-copyright="David De Gea Instagram" data-portal-copyright="David De Gea Instagram" perform:prop="uuid:blt2fe4a49eabcab830;width:1080;height:1872"></picture><picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltd85bc5defc1e4bc9/Screenshot_2024-04-28-20-24-45-43_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltd85bc5defc1e4bc9/Screenshot_2024-04-28-20-24-45-43_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltd85bc5defc1e4bc9/Screenshot_2024-04-28-20-24-45-43_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg?format=jpg" alt="Malcolm in the Middle David De Gea" data-source="David De Gea Instagram" data-copyright="David De Gea Instagram" data-portal-copyright="David De Gea Instagram" perform:prop="uuid:bltd85bc5defc1e4bc9;width:1080;height:1812"></picture>

WHAT DAVID DE GEA SAID

De Gea remains a free agent following his departure from Old Trafford at the end of the 2022-23 season. Several clubs approached him in the last two transfer windows including Saudi Pro League teams but he refused to accept those proposals. However, as per the latest rumours, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/new-suitor-emerges-for-david-de-gea-despite-ex-man-utd-goalkeeper-spending-whole-season-without-club/blt5845135d9ee3fb95#cs85c19419ea32702b" target="_blank">Real Betis are reportedly keen on signing the ace custodian</a> as a free agent ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

THE GOSSIP

The 33-year-old recently fuelled speculation that he could be nearing a return to professional football after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/David-de-gea-training-video-man-united/blt8aac1a93dce9de9c#csdb48f6fc28309c7f" target="_blank">posting a video of himself training</a> on social media.

WHAT NEXT FOR DAVID DE GEA?

David de Gea sends hilarious birthday message to Juan Mata as ex-Man Utd goalkeeper compares former team-mate to Malcolm in the Middle protagonist | Goal.com

David De Gea sent a hilarious birthday message to ex-Manchester United colleague Juan Mata as he compared him to Malcolm in the Middle&apos;s protagonist.