Incredible Transfer News: Manchester United Shatter Records with £472m Capture of Inter Milan Star Goalkeeper Andre Onana
Manchester United secure a £472m deal for Inter Milan's Andre Onana, replacing the legendary David De Gea The 27-year-old Cameroon international signs a five-year contract, bringing his exceptional skills to enhance United's goalkeeping prowess
Manchester United have finalized the acquisition of goalkeeper Andre Onana from Inter Milan for a sum of £43.8m.
Onana has committed to a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with an additional year available as an option. He will be taking over the position previously held by David De Gea, who recently departed the club after serving as the primary goalkeeper for 12 years.
The 27-year-old Cameroon international's transfer fee amounts to €51m (£43.8m) initially, with an additional potential of €4m (£3.4m) in add-ons based on individual and club performance. Erik ten Hag, the manager of United, previously collaborated with Onana at Ajax. Their successful partnership at Ajax resulted in three league titles, two KNVB Cups, and a Champions League semi-final appearance in 2019.
Onana expressed his immense gratitude at the opportunity to join Manchester United, highlighting the perseverance he exhibited in his journey by overcoming numerous challenges.
Defending our goal and making a valuable contribution to the team while stepping out onto the iconic Old Trafford grounds will undoubtedly be another remarkable experience for me. This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in my career, surrounded by fresh teammates and fueled by newfound aspirations to strive for.
Manchester United boasts a rich history of exceptional goalkeepers, and I am now fully committed to forging my own legacy in the years to come. I embrace the thrilling prospect of collaborating once again with Erik ten Hag, and I eagerly anticipate playing my role in the triumphs that I know he is resolute to achieve at this prestigious football club.
Kaveh: Ten Hag has the goalkeeper he wants
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Andre Onana has been reunited with Ten Hag at Old Trafford
Erik ten Hag has successfully acquired the desired goalkeeper for the upcoming season. It can be considered an astonishing agreement for Inter Milan, as they initially recruited Onana on a free transfer last year and are now selling him for a staggering sum of nearly £48m.
Ten Hag is familiar with him due to their prior collaboration at Ajax. He possesses the traits of a contemporary goalkeeper, excelling in playing the ball from the defensive line, displaying remarkable comfort with possession, and exhibiting a fondness for taking risks. In fact, his inclination for playing out led to his dismissal from the World Cup by Cameroon's manager, who disapproved of his extensive involvement in this aspect of the game.
He offers a stark contrast to David De Gea. Nowadays, there is a lot of emphasis on having a goalkeeper who is confident with the ball and can participate in building attacks from the back, and Onana certainly fits that profile - he excelled for Inter, playing a key role in their journey to the Champions League final.
He has had some past conflicts with Ten Hag, resulting in being benched a few times while playing for Ajax. Additionally, he faced a nine-month suspension for a doping offense. Nevertheless, Ten Hag had been in need of a new goalkeeper, and now he has his desired candidate.
Analysis: Why Onana can elevate Man Utd
In the words of Zinny Boswell, an expert in digital football journalism:"Exemplifying the modern goalkeeper, Andre Onana possesses the ability to skillfully maneuver the ball with his feet. His mobility further enables him to function as a sweeper 'keeper. However, his utmost asset lies in his unwavering confidence. This attribute will be pivotal for him at Man Utd, as they eagerly anticipate him handling what Gary Neville encapsulates as the most high-stakes position in English football."
Onana's arrival at Man Utd is crucial as he will greatly enhance their build-up play. Last season, Lisandro Martinez's arrival from Ajax had a profound impact on the team's confidence in playing out from the back. On the other hand, David De Gea's deficiencies in this area have hindered the team's progress.
When analyzing the statistics, it becomes evident that Onana outperforms De Gea in passing frequency, passing accuracy, long passes, and long passing accuracy. However, it should be noted that Onana tends to opt for shorter passes more frequently. This aligns perfectly with Ten Hag's desired style of play, which prioritizes game control. Therefore, Onana will be the ideal goalkeeper for the Dutchman.
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If the goalkeeper is struggling with his passes, it can have a negative impact on the entire team. This has been evident in the case of Man Utd during the previous season, as they have shown vulnerability at times. Strengthening their defensive confidence would certainly be beneficial.Who will be on the move this summer ahead of the transfer window closing at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on We' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on We News.
