Was dumping David de Gea for Andre Onana Man United's biggest mistake? How the former Red Devils star is massively outperforming his replacement at new club Fiorentina
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David de Gea is outperforming Andre Onana in pretty much every metric, prompting the question: were Manchester United right to replace him?. The Spaniard left Old Trafford after 12 years in the summer of 2023 after failing to agree terms on a new contract.
![[The Spaniard has found a new lease of life after joining Fiorentina in Italy over the summer]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/20/11/94292003-14304385-image-a-100_1737373317372.jpg)
He was replaced by £43million signing Andre Onana, who had just reached the Champions League final with Inter Milan and used to play under Erik ten Hag at Ajax. Onana has arguably been among United's better performers this season but a series of high-profile blunders over his 18-month stay, including one leading to a goal against Brighton on Sunday, have seen him questioned. It doesn't help that United are 13th in the table.
![[Meanwhile, Andre Onana has endured another tricky campaign, making a howler on Sunday]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/20/11/94292015-14304385-image-a-101_1737373357274.jpg)
The Cameroonian has already made four errors leading to goals this season, whereas De Gea has made none at Fiorentina, who he joined over the summer. In 29 appearances, Onana has shipped 41 goals, whereas in 19 appearances, De Gea has conceded 22. Both have kept seven clean sheets, but Onana has done so in 10 games more.
![[United let De Gea go after 12 seasons in 2023 as they could not agree on a new deal]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/20/11/94291677-14304385-image-a-102_1737373398206.jpg)
David de Gea is outperforming Andre Onana in most of the major metrics this campaign. The Spaniard has found a new lease of life after joining Fiorentina in Italy over the summer. Meanwhile, Andre Onana has endured another tricky campaign, making a howler on Sunday.
![[Onana was brought in for £43million from Inter Milan and while he has had moments of brilliance, he has also been error prone]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/20/11/94291671-14304385-image-a-103_1737373417210.jpg)
It is not uncommon for elite goalkeepers to stay at the biggest clubs into their late 30s. Manuel Neuer is still Bayern Munich's go-to man at 38. Gianluigi Buffon stayed with Juventus until he was 43. At 34, De Gea still has a lot to give. He won the Premier League golden glove in his final season at Old Trafford. Fiorentina are benefiting from his presence, sitting sixth in Serie A.
