Manchester United have invested considerable faith and funds in Andre Onana, with the Cameroon international considered to be the next ‘chosen one’ between the sticks at Old Trafford.
With the decision taken to part company with David de Gea, a serious change of the guard is taking place in 2023.
United’s last No.1 is the current holder of the Premier League Golden Glove award and kept more clean sheets over the course of his 12 years in England than anybody else in Red Devils’ history. Following in his footsteps – regardless of your take on the Spanish shot-stopper – will not be easy.
Convinced
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Erik ten Hag is seemingly convinced that Onana is the man to fill a sizeable void in his squad, with United looking to build on their League Cup-winning exploits of 2022-23.
Having reacquainted themselves with major silverware after six long years, the plan is to kick on from here. Within English Premier League betting, United are considered to be 8/11 shots for a top-four finish, 17/2 to savour title glory for the first time since 2013 and 2/5 to finish the campaign with no trophies to show for their efforts.
If Onana can hit the ground running, then the knocking down of collective targets should become considerably easier. He has, however, never graced English football before and is about to learn the hard way how unforgiving life in the most testing of divisions can be.
You would imagine that a settling-in period of sorts will be required, with it a big ask to expect a Premier League rookie – especially one performing under the brightest of spotlights – to enjoy a faultless transition to life at the Theatre of Dreams.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand has warned that there may be a few bumps in the road, after seeing Onana lobbed from the halfway line during a friendly against Lens, with the classy centre-half saying: “I think there will be mistakes and playing that risky way you do have mistakes and that happens, but it’s about staying true to your beliefs, finding the right balance and remaining calm throughout those periods.”
Any errors from goalkeepers are always going to be magnified and dissected in minute detail, as they provide a last line of defence. If something goes wrong in their department, then the ball usually ends up in the back of the net.
United cannot afford for that to happen with any kind of regularity in 2023-24. De Gea came in for criticism last term after supposedly becoming a weak link – despite securing 17 shut-outs in the league – and Onana will get the same treatment if any flaws in his game are exposed.
Risk
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Given how partial he is to playing out from the back, with plenty of risk to factor into the equation there, you get the sense that the odd costly mistake will be made. How many errors will he be allowed to get away with before questions start to be asked about whether he really was the right option after all?
United supporters will, of course, be hoping that such a debate never happens, with an immediate return enjoyed on another elaborate investment, but Onana may end up shredding as many nerves as he calms.
