Thibaut Courtois has admitted he once dreamed of playing for Manchester United but was denied the chance due to the club’s decision to sign David de Gea.
Widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, Courtois has won league titles with Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, and Real Madrid, along with two Champions League trophies. But his career path could have been very different.
Breaking through at Genk in 2011, Courtois caught the attention of several European clubs, including Tottenham and Chelsea. The latter secured his signature before sending him on loan to Atletico Madrid, where he quickly became a key figure under Diego Simeone. His performances helped Atletico to a Europa League triumph and an incredible La Liga title.
While Chelsea allowed him to develop in Spain, Stamford Bridge legend Petr Cech remained their undisputed No. 1. However, Courtois would eventually return to displace the veteran in the 2013-14 season.
The Belgian star went on to win two Premier League titles with Chelsea, earning the Golden Glove in the 2016-17 campaign. In 2018, he made a dream move to Real Madrid, where he has since added three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies to his collection.
Courtois grew up idolizing Iker Casillas and Edwin van der Sar, and his admiration for the Dutchman made him a keen follower of Manchester United. Had circumstances been different, he might have followed in Van der Sar’s footsteps at Old Trafford.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel, Courtois explained: “I always watched Real Madrid and Manchester United because of Casillas and Van der Sar. When I was doing well at Genk, there was interest from Tottenham, Chelsea, and other European clubs. But Chelsea had the best long-term project for me.”
However, when Ferdinand asked why he never ended up at United, Courtois was clear: “They signed David de Gea. That shaped my path differently. Because of that move, I went to Atletico, which made me the goalkeeper I am today.”
At Chelsea, Courtois faced the challenge of replacing Cech, but the veteran shot-stopper made his transition smooth. “I learned a lot from Petr. He treated me with so much respect and always helped me. He was one of the best goalkeeping teammates I ever had.”
Had United not moved for De Gea, Courtois’ career could have taken a completely different trajectory. Instead, he forged his own path and became a dominant force in European football.