The Erik ten Hag era at Manchester United is underway, and the Dutch tactician's first significant move entails reuniting with Andre Onana, the talented goalkeeper he defended during a doping scandal in their shared Ajax days.
Onana, 27, was a key player for Ajax under Ten Hag, achieving three consecutive Dutch league titles and making headlines in Europe. He then made a £50 million switch to Inter Milan before securing a move to Manchester United, thanks to Ten Hag's determined pursuit. The manager's unyielding support during Onana's nine-month ban for unintentional doping still resonates with the Cameroon international, which played a pivotal role in their reunion.
While Ten Hag's preference for Onana over other less expensive alternatives such as Feyenoord's Justin Bijlow and Eintracht Frankfurt's Kevin Trapp raised some eyebrows, the club's leadership seems to trust their new manager's strategy. The former Ajax coach's impressive debut season, including an FA Cup final appearance and a third-place Premier League finish, reinforced their confidence.
Yet, the spotlight and scrutiny at Old Trafford can be unforgiving. As United's former captain Gary Neville noted, the Manchester United goalkeeper's role is the toughest in English football. "You might go five minutes without touching the ball. It's a really tough thing to have to deal with," Neville said. However, Onana's Champions League experience and his stint at the fan-intense San Siro equip him well to thrive in the spotlight.
Following the £60 million acquisition of Mason Mount from Chelsea, and with Onana almost in the bag, the Old Trafford outfit is reportedly setting their sights on Atalanta's potent striker Rasmus Hojlund. Hojlund, a Denmark international, has made his preference to join United evident, according to Sportitalia. It's rumoured that the 24-year-old's acquisition could round off United's summer transfers for a fee of around £50m.
Under the new management, United are showing the signs of a massive revamp in the post-David de Gea era. Onana's reunion with Ten Hag in Manchester is more than a personal redemption story - it's the beginning of a fresh chapter in United's rich tapestry. The Old Trafford faithful wait in anticipation to see how the Dutch manager's vision unfolds on the pitch.
