The decision for Manchester United to push for a new goalkeeper, Inter Milan’s Andre Onana, for an expected €51 million initial fee, came down to Erik ten Hag.
At the start of the transfer window, the priority of the Manchester United manager was to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur. When it became clear that it was going to be exceptionally difficult to do that, Ten Hag looked at other areas of his team that could be strengthened earlier in the window. The attitude of the manager who had long publicly backed David de Gea also hardened.
The Spaniard had a poor end to the season and there were longer-standing concerns about his ball possession game. Ten Hag regards his goalkeepers as outfield players and, under him, De Gea was coached to think like this, but was never going to be his manager’s ideal player.
Onana has more technical skills in possession and understands the tactical responsibilities regarding positioning if a team wants to press high.
Managers at big clubs such as United want possession-based goalkeepers with the focus more on what they can do with their feet rather than shot-saving ability with their hands, as the position has traditionally been judged. Ederson at Manchester City and Alisson Becker at Liverpool are the best examples of this in the Premier League.
De Gea was always viewed as an excellent shot-stopper by those at United, the man to make the defining saves, more than any other goalkeeper. Ultimately, that was not enough for his club, as it had not been for his country.
The former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper lost his place in the Spain team when Luis Enrique, now manager of Paris Saint-Germain, dropped him for the inexperienced Unai Simon and said: “My goalkeeper must be the first player who gives us numerical superiority while in possession. He must come forward with the ball, and take decisions. I know no other way and I don’t want to know any other way.”
Onana is excellent with both feet and it was this that saw him chosen at Inter ahead of the long-serving and popular veteran Samir Handanovic soon after he signed from Ajax a year ago.
Inter changed the way they played with Onana. In the two Champions League games against Barcelona last season, he boldly hit long diagonal balls to his full-backs, starting attacks much quicker.
Despite having little of the possession (38 per cent) and goalscoring opportunities (11 to 25), Inter won 1-0 in Milan and drew 3-3 in Barcelona, results that were key in seeing them qualify from the group – and Barcelona being eliminated.
Onana had been at Barcelona for five years as a youth player having been signed from the Samuel Eto’o academy; Inter would surprise all by reaching the 2023 Champions League final.
Ten Hag knows Onana well. He was his goalkeeper at Ajax and just 22 years old when his side knocked Real Madrid out of the competition in the Bernabeu in March 2019.
Manchester United 2022/23 season ratings
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MANCHESTER UNITED 2022/23 SEASON RATINGS: GOALKEEPERS: David de Gea 6.5: Started all 38 league games and kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper, made numerous key saves, yet his mistakes are highlighted more. His presence in the team now divides fans, as does whether he should sign a new contract or be moved on. AP -
Tom Heaton 7: Second-choice goalkeeper for much of the season, which frustrated him as he felt he deserved to play more. Always professional and valued in the dressing room, the 37-year-old played well in two League Cup games, keeping a clean sheet and helping United towards Wembley. Getty -
DEFENDERS: Aaron Wan Bissaka 7: Barely figured before the festive period when his United future looked bleak, especially after a horror opening 15 minutes in a Cadiz friendly. Much better as the season went on and became first-choice full-back again. Excellent defensively, can still be suspect with his final ball going forward. EPA -
Diogo Dalot 7: First-choice right-back in the first half of the season as he started the first 15 league games, the 24-year-old was suspended then injured in November and came back a lesser player in February. Signed a new contract last week, which he deserves, but the right-back position remains an issue for Ten Hag. AP -
Victor Lindelof 6.5: Injured at the start of season then unable to break into the side but then played in 90 minutes in all of the last nine games – and performed well. Needed when Martinez was injured and selected over Maguire by a manager who rates him. Getty -
Harry Maguire 6: His worst season at United and probably in his pro career. Lost his place after the Brentford debacle and played second fiddle to others but didn’t actually play badly when in the team. Always spoke in a dignified manner, but footballers like to play football and he’s not getting enough at United. Getty -
Lisandro Martinez 8.5: Superb first season in England for the Argentine World Cup winner. Hammered for his height after a walloping at Brentford, he proved just about every doubter wrong with his fearless performances. The 25-year-old fractured a metatarsal against Sevilla. How costly that would prove. Became a cult hero among fans. Getty -
Raphael Varane 8: World-class defender who, like Casemiro, won it all at Real Madrid and lives up to his status most weeks. Only worry is how many games he can play – 22/38 league games is hardly the rock to build a team on. Tactically and technically peerless, he’s also calm, fast, aggressive and comfortable against the best sides. Remains a key player for United. PA -
Luke Shaw 7.5: Raises his game when his position is under threat. He was deservedly dropped after the two opening defeats and had to work his way back into the side ahead of new signing Malacia. Became a key United player. Powerful and attack-minded, he also performed well as a central defender, but left-back is where he excels. PA -
Tyrell Malacia 6.5: New signing from Feyenoord who didn’t wait long to show what he could do. His lack of experience became apparent over games though and he lost his place to Shaw. A creditable first season and it is a positive that he’s there to push first-choice left-back Shaw. Getty -
MIDFIELDERS: Fred 7: Only 12 league starts for the Brazilian as Casemiro and Eriksen took his place. Became a key player coming off the bench, bringing energy and a surprisingly high six goals. Disappointing season for him, yet contained some of his greatest moments as a United player – a goal against Barcelona and another belter in a magnificent October match against Spurs. AFP -
Casemiro 8.5: One of the best midfielders in the world and how he showed it. A key player throughout the season, the cement between the bricks in the eyes of his boss. Brings balance, closes spaces, breaks up play, assists, scores and better than anyone in the air. His seven goals were a bonus. Will hopefully learn from the two silly red cards that cost him and his team in the spring. AFP -
Christian Eriksen 7.5: Impressive season for the creative Dane. It was interrupted after he picked up a serious injury in January, but thankfully returned from by April. A creator capable of passing between the lines, the 31-year-old only scored twice, but showed his value with 10 assists. Getty -
Scott McTominay 6.5: Started season well, but lost his place in the side to Casemiro, which is nothing to be ashamed of. Aged 26, United could get a significant fee for him and that could happen this summer. A good Premier League standard footballer who could perform at a top-half side every week. A world-class midfielder for Man United? That would bring a different answer. Getty -
Bruno Fernandes 8: Started in an incredible 58 games and remained mostly injury-free. Moany and motivated, he scored an impressive 14 times (and picked up 12 yellow cards). A versatile leader who takes responsibility, he was comfortable with the penalty in the FA Cup final and likely to be United’s captain next season. PA -
Marcel Sabitzer 6.5: A January loan from Bayern Munich to cover for the injured Eriksen, Sabitzer’s two first-half goals against Sevilla were his highlight, but, like his time at the club, they didn’t have a happy ending. Missed the final games of the season to injury, but professional throughout. Leaves with best wishes. Reuters -
ATTACKERS: Jadon Sancho 6: Started well but then had an awful game in Europa League in Cyprus where he looked shot of confidence. Left out of the side, sent to the Netherlands to get him back into a place where he could play for Manchester United again and that happened. Is it unrealistic to expect much more than six league goals and three assists from a player who promised so much and cost so much? No. Getty -
Antony 7: Arrived with a huge fee from Ajax. Started 39 games and scored eight goals. Needs to score more, assist more, be less predictable and be a greater danger closer to goal. PA -
Cristiano Ronaldo 5: Didn’t want to be at the club but sent mixed messages to Ten Hag who asked him straight. A negative influence in the dressing room and the mood (and results) improved when he departed. Featured in 16 games and scored three. One of the greatest players ever, just not this season. PA -
Marcus Rashford 9: The 30-goal tally says it all. Where would United have been without those goals from a team over-reliant on a player who plays out left. Despondent last season, a full pre-season and a manager right behind him helped him perform all season. Needs a goalscorer alongside him and he could be even better. Player of the season. Getty -
Antony Martial 6: Eleven league starts isn’t enough. Nor is it surprising for a player whose career is badly afflicted by injury. The maddening thing is that when he plays United look a better side with him linking plays and his nine goals from only 17 starts across all competitons is no bad statistic. Getty -
Alejandro Garnacho 8: Breakthrough star who gets fans off their seats. Scored five goals, most notably the winner at Fulham in the final game before the World Cup finals. He’s not short of confidence and still has much to learn but he’s only 18 and has plenty of time to do that. Getty -
Facundo Pellistri 6: Started only one game and came on in nine others – where he usually made an impact by running at opponents and crossing. The Uruguayan international, 21, is a bright prospect. PA -
Wout Weghorst 6: He huffed and he puffed and he brought the ball down, the January loan signing was a goalscorer who doesn’t score, but he was affordable, gettable and fitted into Erik ten Hag’s system when he needed a striker after the departure of Ronaldo. Far from the standard of a top United striker, but he was available when others weren’t. EPA -
MANAGER: Erik ten Hag 8: Impressive first season for the Dutch manager with a trophy and a third-place finish. Going out limply to Sevilla stung, but he handled the big decisions well, especially concerning Ronaldo. A disciplinarian with a human touch, he’s no-nonsense and comfortable with the demands of being in charge of a huge club. Needs to be backed so he can continue to improve United. PA
He was only 20 when he played against Manchester United in the 2017 Europa League final in Stockholm under coach Peter Bosz. Onana was guided by Edwin van der Sar, but United’s Jose Mourinho did a number on the Dutchmen that night, his side having just 33 per cent of possession and six shots to Ajax’s 17, but looking comfortable and winning 2-0.
The Ajax side had an average age of just 22 years and 282 days – a record for a European final and Onana was in esteemed company. Almost all his teammates have gone on to play in bigger leagues.
Onana’s passage was not smooth. In 2021 he was banned for 12 months, later reduced to nine, after testing positive for the banned substance Furosemide, a diuretic that, while not performance enhancing, can be used as a masking agent. He claimed he had taken his wife’s medicine by mistake and was found to have made “no significant fault” after his explanation was accepted.
The Cameroonian, 27, announced his retirement from international football after the 2022 World Cup finals. He had been sent home from Qatar by manager Rigobert Song due to an argument with his coach about tactics. Not being called up for international football will not trouble most United fans.
Onana has long wanted to play in England’s Premier League. He will now get his chance at United under a manager who thinks he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
