Andre Onana slammed for 'trying to be an outfield player' as Man Utd legend Dwight Yorke insists £48m goalkeeper is 'not as good' as David de Gea

After De Gea was deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, United paid Inter Milan £48 million ($61m) to recruit stopper Onana, but the Cameroon international has been somewhat underwhelming in his first season with the Red Devils, allowing basic errors to creep into his game. Now, ex-United striker Yorke has expressed his belief that United made a mistake by bringing in the 27-year-old at De Gea's expense.

He told OLBG: “Man United have brought in a keeper who wants to start the attacks and is more aggressive in trying to dominate teams with possession. People have asked me why have I been so critical of Onana, I'm an individual who sees it as it is, it doesn't matter to me who or what you are. The Premier League is different, you will get found out by playing in a high-profile team at a high-profile position. Onana is not as good as David de Gea. Onana tries to be an outfield player rather than a goalkeeper sometimes.”

In De Gea's last season at United (2022-23), the Spaniard kept 17 clean sheets, won the golden glove, and had a save percentage of 71.1 in the Premier League. So far, Onana has kept eight clean sheets and his save percentage is 74.5 in the English top-flight. The ex-Ajax man was brought in, among other reasons, as De Gea was not great with the ball at his feet, with Onana deemed to be better in that regard. However, arguably, he has not lived up to the hype so far.

While De Gea is still looking for a club after being a free agent since last June, Onana and United will next be in action at home to Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on March 17. After the international break they take on Brentford in the Premier League on March 30.