Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has given his verdict on Manchester United’s new number one, Andre Onana. The deal was formally announced last week, with Onana potentially making his debut against Real Madrid tonight.
Foster, who joined United in 2005 and spent five years at the club before moving to Birmingham City, spoke to the United Stand following Wrexham’s 3-1 win against the Old Trafford club and had some interesting thoughts on the goalkeeping situation.
‘Are United ready for that?’
Foster seemingly questioned whether United were ready for a goalkeeper who loves to come out of his penalty box.
“He’s obviously a very modern goalkeeper,” Foster said. “That’s what it is nowadays. If United do want to improve and progress then they do have to sign an Onana and that’s how it goes as simple as that.
“Are the players around him going to be ready for that, and deal with constantly playing out from the back and him stepping up and playing as a sweeper keeper, I’ve seen the way he plays he comes really high up, he’s super comfortable coming out with the ball, it’s an interesting one.
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‘I would have kept De Gea’
As well as this, the 39-year-old also gave his thoughts on the decision to allow David De Gea’s contract to run down and let the 32-year-old leave as a free agent, something Foster disagreed with.
“Personally I’d have stuck with David (De Gea) for another season,” the Wrexham goalkeeper said. “He had a year’s extension, £40 million could have been better spent elsewhere but it is what it is, and it’s probably a good signing.”
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De Gea, who had spent 12 years at Old Trafford, was allowed to leave United as, according to The Athletic, Erik ten Hag was left unconvinced by the Spaniard’s abilities with his feet and also after some costly errors were made against Manchester City and Sevilla, towards the back end of the season.