1 week Ago By Hal Fish
For some time now, there has been a major spotlight shining on the goalkeeper position at Manchester United . That heat intensified when Andre Onana made two blunders in the club's Europa League draw with Lyon. The mistakes couldn't have come at a worse time for the shot-stopper, as he was accused in the build-up by Nemanja Matic of being 'one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United history.
' Amid the spat, there has been talk that the Red Devils could potentially be open to selling Onana, with Italian clubs monitoring the situation . Club fans have no doubt been keeping an eye on former No.1 David de Gea in recent times.
The Spaniard was deemed to be not good enough by Erik ten Hag but has had a fine season with Fiorentina. For example, he also made headlines this week in the Europa League – but positive ones, with a 'monstrous' display vs Celje . And while many eyes may have been on this Serie A star, there is another goalkeeper in Italy who is performing at a high level.
Ironically, he used to play for Manchester United too. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic Used to Play For Manchester United To the average Premier League fan, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic is not a name they will be familiar with. In fairness, the Serbian did not spend long in England.
He managed less than one season at Old Trafford in 2014/15, failing to make a single senior appearance for the Red Devils. At 17, the teenager was rated as one of the top goalkeeping prospects in world football but due to a failed work permit – and not being able to unable to circumvent this with a loan move – his agreement with Man Utd was voided in November 2015 just months after joining in August of the previous year. Two years in Poland with Lechia Gdansk would later lead to a move to Torino and after being loaned out on three occasions, he would eventually establish himself as the Italian club's first-choice goalkeeper.
As calls for David de Gea's return to Manchester United grow louder, his 2024/25 statistics have been compared with Andre Onana. GIVEMESPORT Key fact: Vanja is the younger brother of former Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who currently plays for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal. In 2024/25, he is thriving.
Indeed, of all regular Serie A goalkeepers, he is the division's best-rated goalkeeper this season with an average SofaScore rating of 7.32 – De Gea ranks fourth with a 7.23 score.
Milinkovic-Savic has kept a respectable nine clean sheets, and this is all the more impressive when you consider how busy he is. After all, with 109 saves this term, he has made more stops than any other goalkeeper in the Italian top flight. As such, he has helped Torino to sit mid-table (10th) at this stage of the campaign.
What perhaps catches the eye the most, though, is that the Serbian has made four penalty saves. This is twice as much as the next Serie A 'keeper, who just so happens to be De Gea (two). In comparison, Onana has faced six penalties in all competitions this term, saving just one.
Stats via SofaScore and Transfermarkt - correct as of 12/04/25.
