Manchester United Must Sign World Class Star Who Would Solve Ten Hag’s Biggest Problem – Opinion

Manchester United’s goalkeeper situation is turning into something you might see on a bad TV drama series. The recent back and forth with David De Gea’s contract offer is turning into a bit of a farce, and there are numerous transfer rumours out there about who might be set to join the Red Devils. There are a few names that have gained more traction than others but there is one star among all of the options who would solve United’s goalkeeper problem.

Manchester United Must Sign Andre Onana or David Raya to Compete for the Title

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David de Gea Problems

Before diving in, let us honour how good of a servant David de Gea has been to the club. He picked up the Golden Glove award last season, despite pressure from the fans over his performances in the past couple of campaigns. The Spaniard is an excellent shop stopper and has pulled off a showreel of top-quality saves over the years. This quality has led to more clean sheets than any keeper in the clubs’ history, surpassing the great Peter Schmeichel. However, his contract has expired and now, after 12 years, it could be time to move on.

The 32-year-old does not fit into Erik ten Hag’s style of play with the keeper’s obvious weakness being with the ball at his feet. Despite that, there is no doubt he will go down as one of the best to have played in the Premier League. No matter who you support, his longevity throughout a period where the Red Devils have struggled to compete is impressive. De Gea was also the number one during the club’s last title-winning campaign in 2013. Alex Ferguson saw something in De Gea and despite a slow start to his Old Trafford career, has made the number one jersey his own for a decade. It must be said that very few ‘keepers can claim the same achievement in recent history at one of the top clubs in the Premier League.

De Gea has not been a regular for Spain over the years. After gaining 45 caps, he fell behind Unai Simon, Kepa Arrizabalaga, David Raya and Robert Sanchez, with his last international appearance in October 2020. This has always been an area that De Gea has been regularly criticised for. Iker Casillas had a stranglehold over this spot for a number of years but the legendary goalkeeper was on the decline when De Gea was coming into his prime. Playing at the level of the United keeper should have made him a regular fixture in the Spain side, but he is often poor with his feet. It is the same reason questions are being asked about his Manchester United career. The game has moved on, and so should Manchester United and De Gea.

Dean Henderson

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This is a bit of a longshot but there may have been an outside chance that Dean Henderson could stay at Old Trafford. He has impressed in the Premier League on loan with Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest. His year was cut short last season as the goalkeeper picked up an injury after making just 20 appearances. It remains to be seen whether he could perform for an entire campaign at the top of the table.

Expectations were raised in the 2021/22 season when Henderson was expected to challenge for the goalkeeper jersey at Manchester United. However, he was unable to usurp De Gea in spite of the team struggling and finishing 6th. They conceded 57 Premier League goals in a challenging campaign.

The main sticking point around Henderson is that he, like De Gea, isn’t skilled enough on the ball. It is harder to judge when he has been playing at sides who have been fighting relegation as both Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest were doing in their respective campaigns, but it is too much of a risk when the margin for error is very little at the top of the table. If the move to send Dean Henderson back to Forest on a permanent deal can be done it would recoup a large amount of the fee needed for a new goalkeeper. It’s best for both clubs and the player if this one can get over the line.

Diogo Costa

Finally, a goalkeeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet. Costa impressed in Porto’s Champions League journey last season, with two full seasons of regular football in the Primeira Liga under his belt. At just 23 years old, Costa has the potential to become one of the top goalkeepers in Europe. An experienced centre-back pairing of Varane and Martinez in front of him could help him develop and continue his rise. There is still an element of risk to this signing. Being a goalkeeper at a club like Porto can skew analysis of a goalkeeper, with the club being expected to dominate most games. Costa made a save every 49.5 minutes in league last season, which would need to be much higher in the Premier League, even as a goalkeeper at a club expecting to challenge for the title as Manchester United.

His performances have gradually improved over the last couple of seasons and he would be a steady goalkeeper if Manchester United decide to move in this direction. Costa may need a little bit of protection from the defence as he comes to terms with the pressures of the Premier League. He has yet to really prove himself at the highest level, even with Champions League football in his resumé. Manchester United need to make a move if there is genuine interest, as Chelsea are said to be considering an offer.

David Raya

This one is turning into a bit of a saga. Raya looked set to join Tottenham early in the transfer window.

Brentford have already signed a replacement. Daniel Levy and Tottenham pulled out of the deal due to the £40 million asking price, which may end up pricing one of their prized assets out of a move. However, David Raya was ever-present for Brentford in the Premier League last season. He received three man-of-the-match awards, the joint highest in the league for a goalkeeper alongside Fulham’s Leno and Leeds’ Meslier. The Bees like to play a direct style but Raya still topped the league for goalkeepers in passes per game and accurate long balls per game. Raya is more than capable with the ball at his feet, playing short or long, as one of the best distributors in the Premier League at present.

It appears Raya is ready for the step up. He looks assured in the Premier League and at 27 years old has made his way into the Spain set-up, and a move to a big club may catapult him to become the Spanish number one. The stats do not lie. Brentford lost nine of the 14 games, winning just three when Raya picked up a knee injury in 2021. A re-watch of Brentford’s final three games of this season will highlight exactly how good Raya can be, seeming almost tailor-made for Manchester United.

Andre Onana

The most heavily linked player in the current Manchester United goalkeeper saga. While playing for Ajax, Andre Onana was always destined for a top club. His subsequent ban for taking a banned substance derailed his career for nine months, but Onana’s move to Inter Milan has reignited his career and many name him as the best goalkeeper in the world at present. He fits the criteria of being good with the ball at his feet, and although not as accomplished at playing long balls as David Raya there is no doubt that Onana is a step above where the Brentford keeper in almost every other department.

Onana is a genuine world-class keeper and would command a high transfer fee. If the reported fee is correct, in line with £55 million or upwards, he would be a better option than Diogo Costa at a similar price. He’s also a strong character, as shown with his falling out with Cameroon head coach Rigobert Song during the 2022 World Cup over tactics. It took a bit of time for Onana to settle back into first team football after his ban but he has gone from strength to strength. If Erik Ten Hag has the right man-management skills to compliment Andre Onana, it seems as though this may be a match made in heaven.

Andre Onana is the stand-out choice. He is a genuine world-class keeper who would not be out of place in the top five names in this position in world football. David Raya is not quite at this level but he is an excellent choice if Onana’s fee proves too costly. Tottenham have really missed out on a star here.

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مشاري محمد بن خنين,

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