André Onana: The Fiery Personality Transforming Manchester United’s Goalkeeping

André Onana, Manchester United’s new No. 1 goalkeeper, has quickly made an impression at Old Trafford, not only with his shot-stopping abilities but also with his fiery personality. His arrival has brought a new dynamic to the club, marked by his willingness to demand higher standards from his teammates. Despite a rocky start, United’s confidence in Onana’s character is unwavering.

Onana’s assertiveness was on display during pre-season when he berated Harry Maguire after a mistake against Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas. After a pass from Maguire put Christian Eriksen in trouble, Onana’s vocal reprimand for the England defender, captured by cameras, was later deemed “over the top” by former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher. However, United manager Erik ten Hag appreciated the strong character Onana demonstrated that day.

The decision to sign Onana was not solely based on his goalkeeping skills but also on his character. United’s recruitment department was impressed with his performances during Inter’s run to the Champions League final. In discussions with Ten Hag regarding a goalkeeper to replace David de Gea, Onana’s personality set him apart from other options, including David Raya and Diogo Costa.

Onana’s journey to Old Trafford wasn’t without its share of hiccups. Delays in finalizing the deal meant he joined the summer tour of the United States later than expected. However, his arrival at the team hotel in New Jersey left a lasting impression as he greeted the staff with a beaming smile, despite a grueling day of travel.

The start of Onana’s United career has been challenging, marked by a series of mistakes and intense scrutiny following his £47.2 million move from Inter. Despite this, he has remained a vocal presence in the dressing room, alongside players like Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro. His willingness to take responsibility for his errors, as demonstrated in the 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich in September, was particularly appreciated by his new teammates. Onana apologized in the dressing room after letting in Leroy Sane’s weak shot, and he continued to do so during media interviews.

One area of concern for United has been how long it takes Onana to recover mentally after a mistake. Coaches noted that after Sane’s goal in the 28th minute, it took more than 30 minutes before Onana returned to his usual vocal and proactive self behind the defense. The club is working with him to handle errors better and improve his positioning during opposition attacks.

Onana’s ability with the ball at his feet is a significant reason for his signing. He aims to help United play differently, reflected in his passing statistics. According to ESPN Stats and Information Group, Onana has completed 75.65% of his passes after eight Premier League games, a substantial improvement from De Gea’s 61.47% during the same period last season.

Despite some teething problems as the team adapts to Onana’s playing style, the club believes in his potential to become a successful United goalkeeper. Onana’s commitment to the club is evident in his reluctance to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations in the new year, should he be called up by Cameroon. Although he initially had no plans to return to international football following a dispute with Cameroon coach Rigobert Song, he eventually agreed to play in a recent AFCON qualifier. Talks will continue before the tournament in January, but it’s challenging for high-profile Cameroon players to turn down such opportunities.

United also has Altay Bayindir as a backup goalkeeper, who was signed from Fenerbahce in the summer. If Onana decides to participate in the AFCON, Bayindir, with his experience, is ready to step in. Ten Hag is open to making a change in goal if Onana’s form doesn’t improve.

Despite a turbulent start, United stands firmly behind Onana, viewing him as the right choice to replace De Gea, who had been the club’s first-choice goalkeeper for over a decade. The pressure and scrutiny that come with being United’s goalkeeper are immense, but Ten Hag believes Onana’s personality is well-suited to handle the demands of the role.