Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster doubts the club’s transfer decision, suggesting they should have retained David de Gea instead of signing Andre Onana from Inter Milan this summer.
In an interview after United’s 3-1 preseason friendly loss to Wrexham, Foster expressed uncertainty about the readiness of Man United’s squad to adapt to Onana’s style of play.
He acknowledged Onana’s ball-playing skills and willingness to venture out of his box but raised concerns about the squad’s adjustment to the “sweeper-keeper” approach.
Ben Foster’s Concerns
Aside from Onana’s ball-playing abilities, Foster voiced discontent with the high transfer fee paid for the Cameroonian goalkeeper. He believed the money could have been better utilized to bolster other positions in the squad.
Onana’s transfer fee of 51 million euros makes him the fourth most-expensive goalkeeper of all time. Despite the cost, Foster acknowledged that Onana’s arrival was necessary as Erik ten Hag aims to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level in modern football.
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Foster stressed that Onana’s performance consistency will ultimately determine whether he justifies his price tag. Comparing him to De Gea, Foster mentioned that De Gea was able to deliver a 6/10 or 7/10 performance week in and week out.
Andre Onana’s Debut
Onana made his debut for Manchester United in a friendly match against Real Madrid in Houston, Texas. Despite the team’s 2-0 loss, Onana stood out as one of the strongest performers on the night, making three crucial saves and achieving an impressive 95 percent passing accuracy.
While the long-term impact of Onana’s presence in a United jersey remains to be seen, his performance in the friendly against Real Madrid suggests he might be an ideal fit for Ten Hag’s style of play. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how Onana’s unique approach influences Manchester United’s performance.
