'BRILLIANT' Onana is the PERFECT fit to replace De Gea, says ex-Man Utd wonderkid
Steve Kay
- Updated: 31 Jul 2023 09:42 BST
- 3 min read
Exclusive
Andre Onana could be the perfect replacement for David de Gea, claims MUTV man Ben Thornley.
The former Manchester United player spoke exclusively to FootballTransfers about the exit of veteran De Gea, who left after his contract ended, and former Inter keeper Onana, who joined this summer window for £47.2m.
Though De Gea is widely considered a club legend, his style of play and the mistakes he made towards the end of his Old Trafford career had some fans believing that he should be moved on and not given fresh terms.
READ MORE: WATCH: Andre Onana loses it with Harry Maguire - after TWO MINUTES
Reports suggested that there were negotiations with Man Utd over a new deal but that the Spaniard would be playing a great deal less. But in the end, he left the club as a free agent.
Thornley spoke to us about Onana, a player who has much better passing ability than De Gea. But the commentator said there is an important other aspect he must improve on, too.
Thornley on Onana
“I always thought Man Utd would need a new goalkeeper with David de Gea not signing a new deal,” he told FootballTransfers.
He continued: “Onana fits the Erik ten Hag system perfectly: wanting to play out from the back as he is very comfortable with either foot, something which is unusual for a goalkeeper. He is also a commanding presence in the box. Time will tell whether he is a good communicator with his back four, but if he succeeds in doing that, I think Man Utd have found an excellent replacement for the brilliant De Gea.
READ MORE: Man Utd's Hojlund announcement date set
"I know he made a few mistakes in his time here but give me a keeper who hasn’t and he saved us many more times than he cost us.”
Onana marked Ten Hag’s second signing of the window, after the arrival of Mason Mount from Chelsea. Rasmus Hojlund is expected to follow him to the Premier League side.
