Man Utd SLAMMED for signing Onana over Kane

Carlo Garganese
Carlo Garganese
  • Updated: 20 Jul 2023 10:14 BST
  • 3 min read
Harry Kane, Tottenham, Man Utd, 2022/23
© ProShots

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has hit out at his old club for spending €55 million on Andre Onana instead of using that money on Harry Kane.

United will officially complete the transfer of Onana from Inter in the next 48 hours.

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The Cameroonian will replace David de Gea, who left the club on a free transfer when his contract expired last month after a new contract could not be agreed.

READ MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals

Foster believes that United shouldn’t have wasted money on a goalkeeper when they already had De Gea and should have instead used it to buy Harry Kane.

It’s widely accepted that United cannot afford to buy Kane as Tottenham are demanding a three-figure sum.

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What did Foster say?

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“I didn’t like the manner in which David de Gea left, I really didn’t,” said Foster.

“Considering what David has done for Manchester United over the years he deserved more respect. Football is cutthroat.

“Sometimes you get players who will angle for more money or a bigger contract. And then the fans pile in and give them dog’s abuse.

“But with De Gea he’s given Manchester United over ten years of service and has won the Player of the Year multiple times. He’s been incredible and the way they dealt with his exit was disappointing.

Andre Onana is joining Man Utd
© ProShots - Andre Onana is joining Man Utd

“Onana is a good keeper and very athletic. But playing in the Premier League is a different kettle of fish. It takes a big goalie and personality to play in the Premier League and to turn out for Manchester United. And that was De Gea. I know he divides the fan base, but for many years he put in at least a 7/10 performance for Manchester United and there’s a lot of pressure playing for Manchester United. So now we’ll see how it goes for Andre next season but it’s not the easiest job.

“The reality is Manchester United need a top four finish. And if they could have got Harry Kane they would have been cooking. I still think they need to put the ball in the back of the net. That’s going to be their main priority before the season starts, and yet instead they went and spent around £40 million on a goalkeeper when they had a really good one already at the club, which is why I say we have to wait and see whether the transfer pays off.”

Foster made 23 appearances for Man Utd between 2007 and 2010. Now 40, he plays for Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham in EFL League 2.

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