Man United strengthened their goalkeeping department earlier this summer with the signing of Andre Onana from Inter Milan.
Manchester United’s Luke Shaw is optimistic that new goalkeeper Andre Onana will keep defenders “on their toes” this season following his recent arrival from Inter Milan.
The Old Trafford club mad a successful swoop for Onana – the 27-year-old had been swiftly identified as manager Erik ten Hag’s primary target to replace David de Gea after the Spaniard’s exit –and are now also closing in on the signing of Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund.
De Gea’s impressive 25 clean sheets in all competitions last season were marred only by mistakes that had inadvertently crept into his game far too often towards the end of the previous campaign. The former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper had also shown that his clumsiness with the ball in his possession at his feet, resulting in Ten Hag having doubts about keeping him as their regular No. 1.
Onana, by comparison, is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the best ball-playing goalkeepers in the world, having impressed even the likes of a certain Pep Guardiola last season in a Champions League outing between the Cityzens and Inter Milan. The goalkeeper has now brought a very different set of goalkeeping characteristics to M16, easily displaying his confidence in getting on the ball and picking a pass from his own penalty area, either by going long or short.
Defender Luke Shaw has openly welcomed the Cameroonian’s addition to the squad, insisting that he is in perfect alignment with Ten Hag’s philosophy.
“I think, definitely, he will keep us on our toes, but we expect it,” Shaw told MUTV, reflecting on Onana’s arrival.
“I had seen a lot of him before he came here and I had seen the quality that he has.
“I think he’s only going to add strength to kind of how the manager wants to play. The manager looks to play out from the back and I think he is the perfect fit for that.
“Like I have said, he will keep us all on our toes and keep giving us the ball.”