Manchester United may backtrack on their decision in the summer to let David de Gea go – after Rio Ferdinand previously spoke in support of the veteran Spanish goalkeeper
Manchester United are reportedly considering bringing back David de Gea amid concerns over Andre Onana – and their U-turn may please Rio Ferdinand.
Erik ten Hag is considering bringing back David de Gea
Onana joined United in a £47.2million transfer from Inter Milan in the summer as a replacement for De Gea. The Spaniard left United after 12 years of service, with Erik ten Hag deciding not to renew the veteran goalkeeper’s contract.
The change of goalkeeper signalled a new era at United, but it has not gone to plan so far, with Onana guilty of big mistakes. He failed to save Leroy Sane’s shot in the 4-3 loss to Bayern Munich and Mathias Jensen’s tame shot in the 2-1 win over Brentford this month.
Onana received a confidence boost by saving a last-minute penalty from Jordan Larsson in the 1-0 win over Copenhagen on Tuesday. But according to The Sun, the wheels are already in motion to bring De Gea back, with experienced cover during the Africa Cup of Nations needed.
United have Tom Heaton and Altay Bayindir as back-ups to Onana, but neither have played yet this season. De Gea remains without a club since leaving United and could be brought back on a short-term contract. The 32-year-old has different attributes to Onana and Ferdinand thinks he might have been under-appreciated.
Rio Ferdinand supports David de Gea’s possible return to Manchester United
“I think they’ll miss him,” Rio Ferdinand told TNT Sports in August. “He’s arguably the best shot-stopper around, won the Golden Glove last year. So, I don’t think in any other era would the keeper that won the Golden Glove be relieved of his duties at a football club.
“But the way that the game’s going now, in wanting the goalkeeper to be attached to the 10 outfield players and be a footballer now, that’s why we’re in that situation.
“They brought in a goalkeeper who one of his best attributes is his footballing ability, the ability to play over various distances, comfortable on the ball, wants to be a part of the footballing side of the team, and that’s a huge part of what Erik ten Hag wants from his goalkeeper, so I understand that decision.”
United may be considering the return of De Gea, but for now Ten Hag is making sure to publicly back Onana. After his penalty save against Copenhagen earned United’s first points in the Champions League this season, he said: “[Onana] showed personality. He knows his levels didn’t match his skills before.
Onan was able to successfully save a penalty in the match against Copenhagen
“He could do better. [He had] a very good performance on Saturday. Today, as well. Also, don’t forget that brilliant save just after half-time in the counter-attack. Of course, one of his skills is he’s a very good penalty-saver.”
