David de Gea posts a cryptic thinking emoji on social media just hours after reports emerge ‘Man United are plotting a sensational swoop for goalkeeper to return’ just three months after he was released

David de Gea stopped short of confirming whether he is interested in returning to Manchester United but did post a cryptic message in an apparent reference to his future on social media.

The Spaniard is still without a club after leaving United in unconventional circumstances during the summer where it was first reported a contract extension was set to be signed before the offer was removed.

United instead decided to appoint summer arrival Andre Onana as their new number one following his £47.1m transfer from Inter Milan while De Gea’s contract expired.

However, the Red Devils have been linked with plotting a sensational return for their previous shot-stopper in a bid to provide back-up to Onana who is expected to miss part of the season through his participation with Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations.

De Gea sent United supporters into frenzy on Thursday afternoon when he tweeted a chin rubbing emoji that suggests he is thinking about his future.

The Spaniard is currently still without a club after his United contract expired in the summer

The 32-year-old is a legend at the club but previously refused to take the drastic pay cut on his £375,000-a-week wages after months of lengthy negotiations, however he has remained close with former colleagues.

De Gea reunited with his old Manchester United team-mates on Monday, as Bruno Fernandes took to social media to share his ‘coffee and friends’ date with the goalkeeper and a handful of Red Devils stars.

The Spaniard showed last weekend how he was still close to the United captain, sharing a selfie of the pair embracing on Instagram.

Onana has endured a difficult start to life at Old Trafford but has began showing signs of promise in recent victories that have provided United supporters timid hope he can make the grade at the club.

Andre Onana is currently United’s mainstay goalkeeper after being brought in to replace De Gea

Tuesday’s match-winning last-minute penalty save against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League barred what would have been a disaster for United and left their European hopes in tatters.

Should De Gea return to the club then it is unlikely he would rival Onana for the main goalkeeping position given Ten Hag’s desire to play with a shot-stopper who is good with building play out from the back.

He would however challenge Altay Bayindir for the goalkeeper gloves with the Turkey international still yet to make a first-team appearance.

Tom Heaton can also deputise but has struggled with injury and lacks the big-match experience of De Gea.