Man United transfer target Andre Onana has been hailed by a plethora of big-name stars thɾօυɢҺout his career.
Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.
As ɾєρօɾτed by theManchester Evening Newson Friday, United have held positive talks with Inter in recent weeks and are keen to get a Ԁєɑł over the line sooner rather than later. The Cameroonian has been installed as the club’s first-choice target to replaceDavid de Gea.
Onana worked with United managerErik ten Hagat Ajax and the former is understood to be keen on being reunited with the Dutchman in M16, just a year after joining Inter. He excelled in his debut season in Italy, helping Inter clinch two trophies and reach the Champions League final.
The 27-year-old is renowned as one of the best ball-playing goalkeepers in the world, meaning it is hardly surprising that Ten Hag is intent on adding him to his squad. The Dutchman wants to gradually transform United’s style of play andOnanawould be key in making that possible, such are his capabilities in possession.
He is never afraid to take a risk with the ball at his feet and instigate attacks from inside his own penalty area. His style has earned him plaudits and praise right thɾօυɢҺout his career.
With that in mind,MEN Sporthas taken a close look at what some of football’s biggest names have had to say about him and his career so far.
Erik ten Hag
Few people know Onana better than the United manager. He worked with the Cameroonian shot-stopper in Amsterdam, awarding him almost 150 appearances under his stewardship, resulting in him once describing him as a “masterful goalkeeper”.
Ten Hag said: “Obviously he’s not yet back at his level from before the suspension, but that can’t be expected from him. He has to work hard to get there again and I’m convinced that he’ll succeed. We’ve all seen that he is a masterful goalkeeper.”
Pep Guardiola
City managerGuardiolawas full of praise for Onana both before and after last month’s Champions League final in Istanbul. The Catalan hailed Onana’s distribution pre-match, citing him as Inter’s most dangerous players.
Guardiola explained: “For the way they play, with the high press, Onana is an exceptional goalkeeper to take the position to build-up. Really, really good.”
Pep Guardiola (left) is a big fan of Andre Onana.(Image: Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images.)
Steven Gerrard
Former Liverpool captainGerrardwaxed lyrical about Onana after Inter defeated cross-city rivals AC Milan 1-0 in the second-leg of their Champions League semi-final back in May. Leading 2-0 from the first-leg, Inter progressed to the final with ease, with Onana bagging two clean sheets over the course of the tie.
“He can wear the No.10 on his back and still play,” said Gerrard, hailing Onana’s capabilities. “He is like Ederson. All night he is getting pressed, he is under pressure, in sticky situations, he is just calm, collects and he can play long. He can also play short. I just love watching the ‘keeper. Tonight he was fantastic.”
Rio Ferdinand
Former United defєɴԀerFerdinandwaxed lyrical about Onana as recently as last week, delivering his verdict on the prospect of him sealing a move to Old Trafford. He described him as a “modern-day goalkeeper” and believes he could make an impact at United.
Ferdinand explained: “He’ll give United more confidence and more ability to play out from the back and I think he suits a Ten Hag team. He’s a real modern-day goalkeeper. You see teams pressing him and he doesn’t even panic. He gets the ball in, brings on the press, says ‘come on, come to me’ and when that player comes to him, he knows there’s a [teammate] free somewhere else and he normally finds them.”
Manuel Neuer
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Neuer announced himself as Onana’s No.1 fan after Ajax narrowly missed out on reaching the Champions League final back in 2019. The Dutch giants were famously edged out by Tottenham Hotspur in a thrilling semi-final second-leg that saw the Londoners come back from 3-0 down on aggregate to book an all-English final with Liverpool.
Neuer, in a video мєȿȿɑɢє at the time, said: “Hey Onana, it is Neuer from Munich. I’m your biggest fan. You played a very good season for Ajax. You and your guys deserved to be in the final so don’t be too sad, maybe you will get another chance in the future [to reach the Champions League final].”
LegєɴԀary German shot-stopper Manuel Neuer is a fan of Andre Onana.(Image: Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images.)
Gianluigi Buffon
LegєɴԀary Italian goalkeeper Buffon, speaking in May, described Onana as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, including him in his top five. The Cameroonian excelled in his first season at Inter, dislodging Samir Handanovic as the club’s No.1.
“As for Onana, he made it obvious from the start that his shoulders are broad enough to handle the Inter jersey,” said Buffon. “Fighting for position with Samir Handanovic is also a tough slog. I think right now both [Mike] Maignan and Onana are among the five best goalkeepers in the world.”
