Manchester United recruited Andre Onana to replace David de Gea. Man United manager Erik ten Hag said that Onana would change his team’s game.
Man United parted company with De Gea after working together for 12 years. The Red Devils then brought Onana after being redeemed from Inter Milan in a deal that could reach 55 million euros.
Ten Hag’s decision to bring Onana was inseparable from De Gea’s weaknesses. The Dutch manager likes goalkeepers who are good at playing the ball with his feet to start attacks from behind. De Gea doesn’t have that skill, even though the Spanish keeper has good shot-stopping abilities.
On the other hand, Onana is used to this style of play because he was coached by Erik ten Hang when he was still at Ajax Amsterdam. The Nigerian international keeper has composure on the ball and has a good pass.
Andre Onana made his first appearance for Manchester United in the 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in pre-season. Despite conceding two goals, Onana’s performance received a lot of praise.
“He’s a great goalkeeper and has a different profile,” Ten Hag told BBC Sport. “That’s why we wanted to recruit him.”
“With him, something will change in our game.”
Manchester United have not stopped spending after landing Onana. The Red Devils immediately recruited Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta after reaching an agreement on a transfer fee.
“I’ve been in football for a long time. First, we have to finish something, then we can talk. You have to stay calm and let the professionals work,” Ten Hag said.
Andre Onana’s debut for Manchester United did not satisfy club legend, Dwight Yorke. He thinks the Cameroonian goalkeeper is no better than David de Gea!
Onana’s first match in Man United uniform took place when he met Real Madrid in a pre-season trial match. Appearing at the NRG Stadium, Texas, the Red Devils were beaten by two goals without reply!
Andre Onana was unable to reach Jude Bellingham’s chip kick in the sixth minute. The 27-year-old goalkeeper then conceded Joselu’s overhead kick towards the end of the match.
Onana was immediately showered with criticism after Man United’s defeat against Real Madrid. Moreover, Manchester Red even conceded with their new goalkeeper after previously clean sheets against Leeds United (2-0), Lyon (1-0), and Arsenal (2-0).
Dwight Yorke was one of those who harshly criticized Onana. The former Man United striker even compared Onana to the previous Man United goalkeeper, David de Gea.
“I will be monitoring this player [Andre Onana] closely. The people who criticized De Gea and wanted him to leave are probably the ones who want him back the most. I hope that doesn’t come back to haunt United,” Yorke said, quoted by the Manchester Evening News .
“Now they have bought Andre Onana. Be careful what you wish for. De Gea is a Golden Glove winner, a top player who makes some mistakes, just like all of us,” he added.
“I don’t think Onana is as good as De Gea and people need to watch him very carefully,” said Dwight Yorke.
