Manchester United fans were caught by surprise when Jose Mourinho named his starting line-up for the Premier League clash against Sunderland.
No, it wasn’t the fact that Marouane Fellaini had a little (C) by his name to denote that he was captain but the fact that David de Gea wasn’t named in the team.
There hadn’t been any indication that he was injured before kick-off so it was a shock to see Sergio Romero’s name on the teamsheet.
Just before kick-off, Mourinho confirmed that De Gea had “a little problem” which meant he couldn’t start.
With the Red Devils travelling to Belgium to face Anderlecht in the Europa League on Thursday, some suggested that the Spanish goalkeeper was merely being rested.
However, former United player and Sky Sports pundit, Phil Neville, had another theory.
Neville's theory
Neville believes that De Gea had been dropped for the clash against the Black Cats and believes that a potential move to Real Madrid could be the reason for his absence.
“I’m still amazed at David De Gea – it looks like he’s been dropped to me," Neville said.
“If he was injured, it’d be a simple thing in the press conference, saying: ‘De Gea’s carrying an injury, we’ve saving him for Thursday’.
“I’m amazed, it’s a big opportunity for Romero, all mustn’t be well with De Gea.
“You know when Madrid likes a player, they tend to come and get him. So it’d be a worry, if I were a United fan.”
And it seems that Romero will keep his place in between the sticks for the next game with the Argentine normally playing in the Europa League this season.
“Normally Sergio plays in the Europa League, and that is next Thursday, so not bad for him at all to have a match before that,” Mourinho said.
“I believe David will be ready for next week [against Chelsea].”
In truth, it didn’t matter too much whether De Dea or Romero played for United against Sunderland because Mourinho’s side comfortably triumphed 3-0.
Whether De Gea was busy negotiating a deal with Madrid or was genuinely injured is unknown, though.