Sport
André Onana would be Erik ten Hag’s most important Man Utd signing
Few expected last season’s FA Cup final to be the last time David de Gea would be seen in a Manchester United shirt. The Spanish goalkeeper had been under scrutiny for a while, making a series of mistakes in number of big matches, but most predicted de Gea would hang around Old Trafford for at least another season.
By the end of June, de Gea had become a free agent. The 32-year-old confirmed his exit last weekend, instantly propelling United into the market for a new first-choice goalkeeper. By then, the signs had become clear with Andre Onana top of the club’s shopping list. A deal with Inter could be reached in the coming days.
Onana would be the most important signing of Ten Hag’s Manchester United tenure to date. It would highlight just how closely aligned the club is with the vision of its manager as Ten Hag attempts to transform United into a modern, forward-thinking outfit after years and years of deterioration.
Ultimately, de Gea became a symbol of that deterioration. Once the best goalkeeper in the world, the Spaniard fell behind the curve of modern goalkeeping. While the likes of Alisson Becker and Ederson offer plenty in possession, de Gea always looked uncomfortable with the ball anywhere near his feet.
This was brutally exposed under Ten Hag, a manager who likes his teams to construct attacking moves from deep. De Gea’s standing as one of the best shot-stoppers around afforded him some leeway for a period, but as the errors started to pile up in the final few weeks of last season, Ten Hag clearly lost patience.
In contrast, Onana is special because of what he can do in possession. This was on show in last season’s Champions League final when the Cameroonian gave Inter a way to play through the Manchester City press. This is what Ten Hag wants from his goalkeeper. This is how Manchester United can take the next step in their development.
Of course, United are also in the market for a new number nine with many believing this to be their biggest priority this summer. It’s certainly true that a world class centre forward could elevate the quality of Ten Hag’s team as a whole and give the Old Trafford side the cutting edge in front of goal they were desperately lacking at times last season.
However, a new goalkeeper in the mould of Onana could have an even greater impact through the entire team. The 27-year-old who worked under Ten Hag at Ajax would give United another dimension and take some of the pressure off defenders like Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw to play out from the back.
With Onana able to direct the ball forward accurately, Manchester United can push higher up the pitch and that could aid them as an attacking outfit. Wide men like Antony and Marcus Rashford would, in theory, receive more service and have more opportunities to get into the final third with time and space.
The capture of Onana would also underline the power now enjoyed by Ten Hag at Old Trafford. By all accounts, Manchester United planned on offering de Gea a new contract, but the Dutch manager pushed for a replacement to be signed. He knew the importance of getting the right goalkeeper and Onana emerged as the best option.
With a pressing midfielder already signed in the shape of Mason Mount and Onana, a ball-playing goalkeeper, expected to join, Manchester United are moving through their priority list this summer. Ten Hag is in control at Old Trafford and the sight of him welcoming Onana to the club would be proof of this.
