MANCHESTER UNITED intend to make an embarrassing U-turn by pleading with fired goalkeeper David de Gea to return on a short-term contract.

The club is concerned that they may be short of keepers when Cameroon No. 1 Andre Onana, De Gea’s replacement, travels to the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

3David De Gea confirmed his Manchester United exit back in JulyCredit: AFP3Andre Onana is set to represent Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations in JanuaryCredit: Getty

Man United were caught off surprise when Onana reversed his international retirement.

The Afcon tournament runs from January 13 to February 11, which means the £43.8million summer signing may miss up to eight United games.

So the team is willing to turn to De Gea after releasing him in the summer.

The Spaniard, 32, was at Old Trafford for 12 years before leaving when his contract expired.

Since then, he has not played for another team.

De Gea was given lower conditions to continue at United, with his weekly salary reduced from £375,000 to £200,000.

Even that contract, however, was eventually scrapped.

Surprisingly, United also requested him not to accept to join another club until Onana’s transfer was completed.

3Erik ten Hag could sign De Gea as back-up for when Onana heads to the Africa Cup of NationsCredit: Getty

It was viewed as unjust treatment for the club’s longest-serving goalkeeper, who had just won the Premier League’s Goldon Glove.

United signed Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce for £4.3 million, but Tom Heaton would be the club’s only other goalkeeper throughout the Afcon competition.

Bruno Fernandes, who recently saw De Gea in Manchester, earlier expressed sorrow that the Spaniard did not receive a suitable send-off.

That is now possible provided the player accepts the short-term contract.

Given Onana’s form, many believe De Gea should have been retained.

Onana, a former Inter Milan player, was the hero on Tuesday, save a penalty in injury time to help United beat Copenhagen 1-0 in the Champions League.