MANCHESTER UNITED intends 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.

Man United was caught by surprise when Onana reversed his international retirement.

David De Gea confirmed his Manchester United exit back in July

Andre Onana is set to represent Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations in January

The Afcon tournament runs from January 13 to February 11, which means the £43.8 million 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 that he not accept joining another club until Onana’s transfer was completed.

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

Erik ten Hag could sign De Gea as a backup when Onana heads to the Africa Cup of Nations

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, saving a penalty in injury time to help United beat Copenhagen 1-0 in the Champions League.