If Manchester United are signing a goalkeeper this summer, he needs to be a clear upgrade on Andre Onana.
United’s goalkeeping struggles last season were well documented.
Onana and Altay Bayındır failed to impress, making schoolboy errors that cost the team valuable points.
Among the key priorities this summer is bringing in a reliable shot-stopper, someone whose top-notch goalkeeping is capable of helping the Red Devils claw their way back to the top.
While some of the finest goalies are being linked, for this piece, I will discuss why Gianluigi Donnarumma might not be the answer.
Onana vs Donnarumma
Comparing the two on DataMB, it will surprise you to find that Donnarumma, as hyped up as he is, is not miles ahead of Onana.
Yes, the PSG keeper boasts a slightly higher save percentage, 46.9% compared to Onana’s 39.4% and a better long pass completion rate at 37.5% versus Onana’s 25.6%.
But the United number one outperforms the Italian in several key areas.
Standing at 6’3″, Onana is shorter than the 6’5″ Donnarumma, yet he was far more dominant in the air, winning 47.5% of aerial duels compared to Donnarumma’s 18.8%.
Onana also edges the Italian in short pass completion (68.8% vs 64.4%), making him better suited to Ruben Amorim’s build-from-the-back philosophy, which is yet to be fully adapted.
More telling is the post-shot expected goals minus goals allowed: Onana posts a figure of 51.2, while Donnarumma trails at 19.4, suggesting the Cameroonian has stronger shot-stopping ability.
Even in clean sheets in league games, Onana comes out on top with nine, compared to Donnarumma’s four.
source: datamb.football
Not much of an upgrade
Ultimately, Donnarumma does not represent a significant upgrade over Onana.
Other than the stats, his wages could also be a big stumbling block.
AiScore claims Donnarumma earns around £212,116 per week at Parc des Princes, making him one of the highest-paid goalkeepers in world football.
If United were to pursue him, he would need to agree to a pay cut.
But even if he did, the question remains: why sign a keeper who is not better than the one you already have?
👀🇮🇹 Received a text late last night that Gianluigi Donnarumma WANTS a move to @ManUtd.
After PSG put a £26m price tag on the goalkeeper, the player is attracted to the Premier League and more specifically, Manchester United.
Still no sign as of yet that United are looking to…
— Anil Kandola (@AnilKandola) August 9, 2025
Donnarumma should be posting far better numbers, especially given he plays for a side that just enjoyed a dominant league campaign.
If United are serious about signing a top goalkeeper, they need someone who is not just marginally better, but one who is significantly better than Onana.
Right now, that is not Donnarumma; there is a reason for PSG’s willingness to sell him now or let him go on a free next year after landing Lucas Chevalier.
Featured image Alex Grimm via Getty Images
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Daniel Onguko
Since Dan was introduced to Manchester United in 2008, he has lived and breathed the club. What started as being a fan evolved into writing about United, allowing him to feel part of their journey. Hopefully, his work might even help rekindle your love for the kings of Manchester.
