Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has been branded the ‘worst signing in the club’s history’ ahead of the new Premier League season.
The Red Devils paid £44m to sign Cameroon international Onana from Inter Milan in 2023.
Onana had established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe during his time in Italy and helped Inter reach the Champions League final.
That form has largely deserted Onana since his move to Old Trafford, however, with a number of high-profile mistakes leading to intense scrutiny over his place in the team.
A number of pundits have urged Ruben Amorim to sign a new shot-stopper this summer to replace Onana but the United boss has instead focused on bolstering his attacking options.
Your ultimate guide to the football season
In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – sign up, it’s an open goal.
Manchester United were interested in signing Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa and continue to be linked with a move for PSG outcast Gianluigi Donnarumma.
However, the signings of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha took priority and as a result Onana remains Amorim’s No. 1 heading into the 2025-26 season.
Onana missed the entirety of pre-season with a hamstring injury but is believed to be fit for Sunday’s mouth-watering clash with Arsenal.
Already under pressure at the club, Onana has suffered another blow after being named the ‘worst signing in Manchester United’s history’ by sports broadcaster Richard Keys.
Discussing PSG’s reported £25m asking price for Donnarumma, Andy Gray said on beIN SPORTS: ‘It depends on what a manager wants and needs. But is he worth £25m? Absolutely.
‘He’s worth that to anyone who needs a proper goalie. Hold on, what did Andre Onana cost Man United? What did he cost?’
Keys then said: ‘Well, too much. Quite simply the worst buy in Manchester United’s history, bearing in mind they gave away a world-class keeper [David de Gea] to sign him.’
Turning the conversation back to Donnarumma, who is set to leave Paris after being replaced by the French champions, Gray added: ‘He’s 26, probably not even in his prime yet.
‘But he’s already got a vast amount of experience, won the Champions League with PSG and the Euros with Italy.
‘Somebody will surely take him. £25m is nothing these days, it’s nothing. A goalkeeper with his pedigree will not be sitting on the bench for long.’
Former Sky Sports presenter Keys, meanwhile, also revealed his doubts over Manchester United’s three summer signings.
Richard Keys has doubts over Man Utd summer signings
‘From bust at Christmas according to Jim Ratcliffe to a massive spend this summer,’ he said.
‘Not sure about him (pointing to Benjamin Sesko). We said Mbeumo would get a decent club and he has but 75m euros? He’s had one season, he’s had one good season.’
Raising Cunha as another unconvincing signing, Keys said: ’75m euros for a party boy.’
But former Scotland striker Gray defended Manchester United’s summer transfer business, saying: ‘Those three players are miles better than what they had last year, miles better.
‘I don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t get a bucket load of goals between them, but it depends what happens at the other end of the pitch.’
Manchester United finished just 15th in the Premier League last season, 24 points outside the Champions League places.
Their first opponents Arsenal, meanwhile, finished second for the third season in a row while reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.