Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker claims Andre Onana should be dropped

The aftermath of Manchester United’s Champions League disaster against Galatasaray has prompted numerous inquiries about the team and coach Erik ten Hag. One of these queries concerns the form and performance of Cameronian international Andre Onana.

We sat down with former Red, Paul Parker, to discuss United’s shot-stopper.

In this article:

• Onana needs to be dropped for Bayindir
• Should Onana have been an outfield player?
• Would United have conceded as many goals with de Gea in goal?
• David de Gea back?
• Safer Gambling

Onana needs to be dropped for Bayindir

Onana arrived at United with a reputation as one of the world’s finest ball-playing goalkeepers, partly thanks to his performance in the Champions League final. However, Onana has had a turbulent beginning, and Parker suggests that he would prefer to witness summer signing and United’s second-choice goalkeeper, Altay Bayindir, given an opportunity to compete for the top goalkeeper position.

“I think it’s time to give Altay Bayindir a chance in the goal. I have a friend who lives in Turkey, and he was so positive about him when he moved to Man United from Fenerbahce.”

“Honestly, I didn’t expect to ever mention his name, but now it’s time to make that change. From what I’ve heard, he is a good goalkeeper.”

“I saw Onana on many occasions when he played for Ajax, and I thought he was okay, but okay is not enough when you play for the biggest club in the world.”

Should Onana have been an outfield player?

Since assuming the number one role at Old Trafford and subsequently displacing United legend David de Gea, Onana has committed several high-profile mistakes that have proven costly for United in recent weeks. The most recent blunder occurred during the second half of the Galatasaray game when he attempted a short pass to Casemiro, resulting in the Brazilian making a desperate slide tackle and ultimately receiving a red card.

Parker has, thus far, found Onana’s performance less than satisfactory and says that a goalkeeper’s primary responsibility should be shot-stopping.

“I keep hearing things about how good a passer he is. People say that he can kick and pass the ball, but that’s not the important thing as a goalkeeper.”

“I don’t care about how good he is with his feet. He needs to make saves, and he is not doing that. If he was that good with his feet, why is he not an outfield player then?”

“Everyone wants to play outfield, so why is he in goal? Not many young kids come out and say they want to be a goalkeeper, but there must be a reason behind that I don’t know about.”

“His job is to make saves and to make the right decision when he has the ball, and he made another big, big mistake against Galatasaray.”

Would United have conceded as many goals with de Gea in goal?

Parker hails from an era when the practice of playing out from the back and building through the thirds wasn’t as widespread as it is in today’s game. He had the privilege of playing in front of a goalkeeper like Peter Schmeichel, who, despite his competence with the ball at his feet, was primarily celebrated and revered for his exceptional shot-stopping abilities.

Parker expresses his doubts about Onana’s innate goalkeeping prowess and fondly reminisces about his former teammate Schmeichel.

“Yeah, Alisson and Ederson have done it as well, but their save percentage is so much better than Onana’s. When the opponent has a shot on target, it’s always a worry if he will save it or not.”

“The shots are going through his hands or underneath him, and I just don’t think he is a natural goalkeeper.”

“I hope he gets better but at the moment, he is costing a lot, and I’m not a big fan of him. Man United have conceded 20 goals this season, and if David De Gea was the goalkeeper, the number would have been under 10, for sure.”

“All the great Manchester United sides had ten outfield players that could play the ball. They didn’t need a goalkeeper to do that. Peter Schmeichel was great with his feet, but his legacy is all about his ability to save balls. That’s how it works for a goalkeeper, and Onana was definitely not a necessary buy to make.”

Should United get David de Gea back?

Since leaving the club in the summer, de Gea has been unable to find himself a new home. Rumours have circulated that the Spaniard has contemplated retiring despite only being 32 years of age. Parker strongly claims that he would have preferred de Gea to stay at the club. Even more boldly, he states his belief that it’s not a lost cause for de Gea to return to Old Trafford.

“I have no idea what they were thinking when they went out and got him. David De Gea earned the right to get his high wage, but this is not about the money. It’s about having a proper goalkeeper.”

“I don’t think it’s a lost cause to get David De Gea back, but I think he is so disappointed with the way he was treated by the club and the fans.”

“Personally, as I’ve said a thousand times, if I could go back in time, I would have kept him. Of course, I would.”

“But I don’t think I would want him to come back because everyone would want him to fail, and the fans would call him out every time he does something wrong in their opinion.”

“I think it could ruin his legacy, but it’s a shame because I would love to have him in the team.”

Goalkeeper for club in all competitions

SAFER GAMBLING

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