Man Utd legend left ‘really perplexed’ by club’s decision to replace David de Gea with much-maligned Andre Onana as former defender insists Spaniard ‘still had plenty to offer’

Back in the summer of 2023, Spanish goalkeeper De Gea was allowed to leave Old Trafford when reaching the end of his contract. He had spent 12 years with the Red Devils, taking in 545 appearances while becoming a Premier League champion and record-breaking four-time winner of the club’s Player of the Year award.

United decided to move in a different direction, with Onana acquired from Inter in a £48 million ($62m) transfer as he was considered to be better with the ball at his feet. The Cameroon international has, however, made a number of costly errors across 87 appearances – leading to uncomfortable questions being asked of his value.

Pallister – speaking in association with Foot Italia– told GOAL when asked if Onana remains the right option for United, with it imperative that any No.1 inspires confidence in those that he is working behind: “I think he had a tough start to the season. Then for a number of months he was really good and pulled off some important saves.

“He’s obviously very good with the ball at his feet, he’s very calm with the ball at his feet. There have been a couple of high-profile errors of late. I’m not going to attack him for the game against Ipswich because the first one is communication between the two of them and the second one, how many times do you see that? He can’t make his mind up until the ball goes past the centre-forward. If he gets a touch and he’s diving the wrong way, he’s going to look stupid. It was a 50-50 and the ball has gone in the net. I’m not really blaming him for them.

“His name keeps resonating around the chat with the fans about whether he is strong enough and good enough to be the goalkeeper of Manchester United. I’m really perplexed by the fact that we let De Gea go. I know he wasn’t great with the ball at his feet and that’s what [Erik] ten Hag seemed to be obsessing over but, for me, David de Gea still had plenty to offer.”

After taking a year out, De Gea is now back in competitive football with Serie A side Fiorentina. United, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency throughout the 2024-25 campaign and sit 14th in the Premier League table.