Why Are Manchester United Chasing Inter’s Goalkeeper, Andre Onana?

It has been a hotly-debated topic at Manchester United in regards to what the club do with their current number one goalkeeper past this summer.

The large proportion of fans are leaning towards seeing David de Gea – who has been at the club for 12 years – leave on a free transfer and replacing him with a more modern goalkeeper who can is far better technically.

Inter Milan’s Andre Onana appears to be the most viable candidate to take the number one jersey away from the former Spain international. There were preliminary talks with FC Porto’s Diogo Costa, but with the Portuguese club’s insistence on paying the €75 million release clause, Manchester United have sidelined further conversations.

Onana, who has enjoyed a stellar campaign with the Italian giants after reaching the Champions League final, has risen to the top of Erik Ten Hag’s shortlist and it is easy to see why.

The first aspect of the Cameroon international’s game that stands out is his complete composure with and without the ball. A huge area of concern for Manchester United fans has been the team’s lack of build-up from the back, with De Gea either giving the ball away or punting it to no one in particular.

But, as seen from Onana’s game, especially against Manchester City in the European final, the goalkeeper is expertly weaving his passes past any sort of press and into the path of his teammate. After a short period of time, it was clear that the frontline of City stopped pressing Onana given his comfortability on the ball and ability to pick out the passes which can cut them open.

While De Gea should be remembered fondly for his service to Manchester United, it has become apparent that the game has moved on quite considerably. Fans now expect goalkeepers, at the elite level, to be as comfortable with the ball at their feet as a midfield player. With this not being the case, it puts extra pressure on the team’s defence and vulnerable to high-pressing teams – as they have seen throughout last season in crucial games.

Inter are holding out for a valuation of around £50 million, which is a fair price given Onana only join the Milan-based club 12 months ago on a five-year deal. With Manchester United expecting to bring in around £20 million for Dean Henderson, who looks destined to go to Nottingham Forest, and freeing up wages of £375,000 per week that De Gea was earning, it is within their proposed budget.

Manchester United would be buying an elite goalkeeper, one of the best in the world on current form, who has longevity in his game. At only 27, there is no reason to suggest that the Cameroonian could not be plying his trade at Old Trafford for nearly a decade.

Ten Hag has understood the importance of upgrading the position and, along with Mason Mount, will aim to complete the transfer within the next week.