Amazing; Man Utd fans have uncontrollable ‘tears in their eyes’ as footage of Onana performing with new team-mates in first training session is revealed
MANCHESTER UNITED fans can’t contain their excitement to finally have a goalkeeper who can play – and the excitement was running high after a clip showing Andre Onana performing a holding challenge went viral.
The Red Devils this week announced the signing of Onana from Inter Milan for £47million.
A clip showing the goalkeeper with his new team-mates put fans in a good mood. Photo credit: Twitter
Onana, 27, joins the club after making goalkeeping his top priority following De Gea’s departure.
The deal will make Onana – who signed a five-year contract with an option for an additional season – the third most expensive goalkeeper in football history.
Only Chelsea’s world-record £72m signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Liverpool’s £67m takeover of Alisson – both in 2018 – are bigger than Onana’s move to Old Trafford. United will pay an initial fee of £43m for the Cameroon international, with surcharges bringing the total value to around £47m.
This has made Erik ten Tag a modern goalkeeper who is as good with his feet as he is with his hands – something many believe De Gea cannot match.
And Onana is someone who has a lot of priorities in terms of football philosophy.
De Gea, 32, has been left out of Spain’s World Cup squad because he doesn’t fit his country’s style of play.
As Onana traveled to Cameroon, fireworks quickly erupted when he was asked to change his own style to a more traditional one. This led to a falling out with management when he refused to change his way of playing, which resulted in Onana being removed from the roster and sent home.
However, under Ten Hag he is strongly encouraged to use his feet as much as his hands.
And fans can’t wait to see him after footage of him at his old club taking part in a follow-up challenge with his new teammates was shared online.
Onana controlled the ball comfortably with his left foot, kicked it with his right and then played a nice shot at a new United buddy.
“Tears in your eyes,” a fan replied to the clip. “It’s crazy that we’re going from one end of the spectrum to the other. De Gea is one of the worst goalkeepers with feet while Onana is top notch,” wrote another fan.
Another said: “Finally we have it… a ball-playing goalie.”
Another tweeter wrote: “De Gea will send the ball back to Manchester if he tries.”
This theme continued as the excitement grew, with one fan saying: “Haven’t seen a goalkeeper with good feet at my club for a long time.”
Another added: “Our goalkeeping team is dominant and can play football.”
While another fan explained that he was “already the best goalie in the Prem”.
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Man Utd seek quick fix with midfield target as Ten Hag is alerted to crucial deadline
According to the latest reports, Manchester United and Fiorentina hope to find a solution regarding Sofyan Amrabat by Monday.
Erik ten Hag has already signed deals for Mason Mount and Andre Onana but there is still work to be done.
Signing a striker remains a priority for Man Utd this summer but the club are also keen to bolster their midfield department. Fiorentina’s Amrabat has been an interesting player for several clubs and Man Utd have been at the forefront of finding his signature.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Man Utd and Fiorentina want Amrabat’s future settled by Monday when the player is expected to return to Florence.
While Ten Hag remain interested in the midfielder, Man Utd are yet to make an official offer for the 26-year-old.
“He [Amrabat] is very attached to the team and I too speak English and almost every day,” Fiorentina chief executive Joe Barone told Sky Sports Italy.
“Nothing official has happened yet, I told him to come here focused because he’s a Fiorentina player. “He has to have his head here and be ready for the start of the league. If something comes up, we will assess it. We already have a very strong midfield department.
According to Fabrizio Romano, a deal for Amrabat could hinge on Fred leaving the club this summer.
The Brazilian midfielder’s contract runs until 2024 and there is a good chance he will leave this summer as several teams are reportedly interested.
“Fred is one of the players who should leave and he has interest from Saudi clubs, Galatasaray and other Premier League clubs,” Romano explained.
“Erik ten Hag knows Amrabat is on the market and you could keep an eye on him, but that’s not a priority and you’re also aware that Fiorentina are difficult to negotiate with so he won’t come cheap.” He is one of many names on United’s roster for the job.”