Five goalkeepers who could replace David de Gea at Manchester United

Manchester United are understood to be in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer as the club search for a long-term replacement for David de Gea.

De Gea’s position appears under threat after more than a decade with the Red Devils, following the goalkeeper’s error for an Ilkay Gundogan goal during the club’s FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

The Spaniard’s distribution has also been heavily criticised and his suitability to the demands of Erik ten Hag’s tactics have been questioned ever since the Dutchman arrived as manager at Old Trafford last summer.

We’ve looked at five potential options who could replace De Gea next season.

Five goalkeepers Manchester United could sign to replace David de Gea.

Andre Onana

Andrea Onana’s reputation has risen during an excellent first season at Inter Milan and Ten Hag could be tempted to make a move for a goalkeeper he worked with at Ajax.

Onana made 214 appearances in all competitions during his stint with the Dutch side before departing to sign for Inter Milan on a free transfer last summer. The Cameroon international has proven to be a bargain for the Champions League finalists with Onana influential during the club’s run to a first final since 2010.

The 27-year-old leads the Champions League for clean sheets (7), high claims (12) and saves (44) this season and recorded shutouts in both legs of Inter’s semi-final win over rivals AC Milan.

📚 Textbook dummy, by André Onana #UCL pic.twitter.com/Vx4xG2yQSX

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 14, 2023

Of goalkeepers to have made six or more appearances in this season’s competition, his save percentage (81.1%) ranks third and he has prevented more goals (+7.5) and attempted more passes (394) than any other goalkeeper.

Onana oozes confidence in possession of the ball and was schooled in Barcelona’s La Masia academy system before moving to Dutch football. Already familiar with the manager’s methods, he could be a transformative signing for Ten Hag.

Diogo Costa

Diogo Costa continues to be linked with Europe’s top clubs after an excellent season at Porto.

Costa was linked with a move to Manchester United last summer and it would be little surprise if the Red Devils renewed that interest given his performances in Portugal. The 23-year-old recorded 16 clean sheets during the 2022/23 campaign and became the first goalkeeper in Champions League history to save three consecutive penalties in the competition.

Three penalty saves in successive games for Porto!

Diogo Costa 🚫🚫🚫@FCPorto || #UCL pic.twitter.com/yZIGCHrt7A

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 31, 2022

Costa leads Portugal’s Primeira Liga for completed passes over 40+ yards (44.7%) and has a reported release clause of £65m in his contract at The Estádio do Dragão.

The Portugal international has, however, talked down recent speculation surrounding a Premier League move.

“That’s the internet. It is a happiness and an honour to play for my favourite club,” Costa told reporters, as per GOAL.

“What they say is what they say, there is nothing concrete. I have a contract until 2027 and I hope to continue, let’s see.”

Emiliano Martinez

Emiliano Martinez would offer a Premier League proven option to replace De Gea, having starred since leaving Arsenal to sign for Aston Villa.

Martinez has recorded 10+ clean sheets in each of his three seasons at Villa Park and has seen his reputation rise with some outstanding performances on the international stage. The 30-year-old has formed part of the Argentina side that has won the Copa America and World Cup since 2021 and won the competition’s Golden Glove in each triumph.

Denied by Dibu. ❌ pic.twitter.com/klVwk7GiZR

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 14, 2023

Named as The Best FIFA Goalkeeper in 2022, Martinez ranks in the 97th percentile of goalkeepers in Europe’s top five leagues for defensive actions outside the penalty area and in the 99th percentile for crosses claimed.

He has the presence, attributes and character to suit the demands at Manchester United, though Villa would be reluctant to lose their number one.

David Raya

David Raya appears an accessible and attractive option for Manchester United this summer, with the Brentford goalkeeper having turned down a new deal with the Bees.

Raya will enter the final 12 months of his contract at Brentford this summer and looks destined for an exit. The Spaniard has been a huge part of the club’s success since Premier League promotion and has forged a reputation as one of the Premier League’s best distributors.

🚨 EXCL — David Raya’s Futbol21Pro agent Jaume Munell: “If Brentford does not lower the price tag for David Raya this summer, we’ll be ready to leave as free agent in one year”.

Raya and his camp expect clarity over future after Brentford signed Flekken but still ask for £40m. pic.twitter.com/oH12inFOQz

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 31, 2023

He ranks in the 92nd percentile or higher in Europe’s top five leagues for save percentage, average touches per game and crosses claimed, while his ability with the ball at his feet saw Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp suggest Raya ‘should have number 10 on his back’ last season.

Brentford have already completed a deal to sign Freiburg goalkeeper Mark Flekken for £11m as a replacement for Raya, who the club have insisted is valued at £40m. Given his contract situation, the final figure could be significantly less.

Yehvann Diouf

Yehvann Diouf has had a breakthrough campaign at Reims this term, impressing in goal as the Ligue 1 side have improved under the management of Englishman Will Still.

Diouf ranks top among his divisional peers in Ligue 1 for goals prevented (+6.7) and high claims per 90 minutes this season, while his save percentage (78.1%) ranks him third in France’s top tier and ahead of De Gea (71.1%) for the 2022/23 campaign.

Embed from Getty Images

Crucially, the 23-year-old has shown ability with the ball at his feet and ranks behind only Gianluigi Donnarumma and Kasper Schmeichel for pass accuracy in Ligue 1 this season, while only Auxerre’s Benoit Costil has completed a higher percentage of their passes over 40+ yards (44.2%).

For comparison, Ederson and Alisson have completed 44.5% and 41% of their passes over the same distance this season, while De Gea has managed to complete just 31.4% of his – ranking him 17th in the Premier League.

Diouf’s lack of senior experience could be a concern and there is a significant step up in pressure from Reims to Manchester United, but statistically and stylistically he appears an ideal fit.

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