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Andre Onana has promised Manchester United fans he will “take a lot of risks” this season as Erik ten Hag’s side seek to improve their ability to play out from the back.
Onana, 28, endured a difficult start to life in England following his £47.2 million move from Inter Milan last summer to replace long-term number one at Old Trafford, David de Gea.
A series of high-profile mistakes in the Champions League by the Cameroonian international played a significant role in United being knocked out of the group stage. Ten Hag’s side finished bottom of their group, behind Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen, with no other side in the competition conceding more goals.
While there were more players than just Onana responsible for this embarrassing exit from Europe’s elite competition, he was undoubtedly suspect number one. Questions began to swirl around United’s decision to pay such a fee for a shot stopper whose goalkeeping fundamentals appeared unusual, to say the least.
Yet, as the season progressed, with the full backing of his manager, Onana improved from this nadir, quietly establishing himself as one of the best performing goalkeepers in the Premier League by the end of the year.
A disjointed defensive unit in front of the 28-year-old undoubtedly made this transition to English football even more difficult. Ten Hag was forced to field “32 different backlines” last season with an unrelenting injury crisis leaving every single of his first-team defenders on the side lines at differing points, aside from Diogo Dalot.
For one match – the away trip to West Ham – the Dutchman did not have any of his senior centre-backs (Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof) available. A 35-year-old Jonny Evans and a 19-year-old Willy Kambwala, making his Premier League debut, started in front of Onana.
Predictably, United fall to a 2-0 defeat.
And this was an issue which defined the season at Old Trafford – a team with no fit defenders cannot seek to produce a fit-for-purpose defence. But the man stationed behind this musical chairs defensive unit was a constant presence, increasingly becoming a reliable cornerstone of the team as the year progressed.
But, owing largely to the absence of players like Martinez and Luke Shaw, United were never able to play in a style of football which made Onana one of the most dominant goalkeepers in Serie A. Inter Milan were excellent at playing out from the back in the 2022/23 season, with their number one (or, rather, number twenty-four) and his ability on the ball central to this.
Nerazzurri would win the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana, while reaching the final of the Champions League, only to lose 1-0 to Manchester City. Inter were far better than their English counterparts, however, and were unlucky to lose in Istanbul.
Onana’s ball-playing skills were on full display in the final with City’s attackers unable to press him such was his quality and quickness in possession. Ahead of the game, Pep Guardiola had predicted such a performance, detailing how Onana “makes it really difficult to deploy a high press against” his team. The Spaniard further described the 28-year-old as an “exceptional goalkeeper”.
Yet, in the twelve months Onana has played in Manchester, United have not been able to play in a manner which promotes these “exceptional” qualities. This looks set to change next season, however.
Speaking in a typically candid interview, the Cameroonian international has told Red Devils fans to prepare themselves for a “season of intense risk-taking”, writes James Ducker (The Telegraph).
“Yes, that’s me,” Onana said. “And I think it’s what you’re going to see this season because I will take a lot of risks. I can tell you in advance already! Be prepared because it’s going to be this season, trust me! I will enjoy it even more when this season starts.”
“The best teams in the world take risks. Building from the back, recognise things, situations, when the opponent jumps one against one, or when they press with three or with four. So for me it’s important to recognise those kinds of things and make the best decision for the team. I will take a lot of responsibility and I think my back is huge to carry it all, no? I think it’s going to be nice this season.”
United hired a new goalkeeping coach this summer. Jelle ten Rouwelaar, previously at Burnley, was appointed to replace Richard Hartis as Ten Hag “bids to improve his side’s build-up play from the back.”
Rouwelaar advocates a style of goalkeeping predicated on “cognitive processes” – an approach designed to help goalkeepers make better decisions in pressurised situations. For a shot stopper as confident as Onana, this style will be music to his ears and he has responded well to Rouwelaar’s methods.
“[My impressions are] very good — very good,” Onana said of his new coach . “I had a very good relationship also with Richard, he was a really good guy and helped us a lot, especially when I came here and faced difficulties. He was there for me so I thank him for all he did for me and I think all the goalkeepers were very happy with him.”
“Now the club decide to move on and bring someone else and we are working together and we are happy to work with Jelle. Every person is different. He has his own way to work, it’s nice, we are having fun and enjoying it but the most important thing is for the team to win.”
Onana concludes by revealing he finally “felt at home” after six months in England. “It’s not always easy to settle in a new country, a new league and new people around but my team-mates helped me a lot, so I’m happy,” the 28-year-old says.
With twelve months experience under his belt, the continued faith of his manager and synergy with his new goalkeeping coach, the goalkeeper looks ready to employ the risk-heavy style which brought him to Old Trafford in the first place.
Onana just needs his team-mates to be able to play in a which utilises it as well.
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