Edwin van der Sar has expressed his belief that Manchester United are offloading a player possessing "tremendous quality" in goalkeeper Andre Onana, while acknowledging the rationale behind the club's decision following a challenging period for the Cameroonian at Old Trafford.
Ajax Connection and High Expectations
The legendary former Manchester United and Ajax goalkeeper, Van der Sar, is intimately familiar with Onana's capabilities, having collaborated with him during his tenure as chief executive at the Dutch powerhouse Ajax. Onana dedicated six formative years to Ajax before embarking on a stint with Inter Milan, where his performances captured the attention of Manchester United.
The Red Devils secured Onana's services in a £47 million transfer, a move laden with anticipation as he arrived fresh from guiding Inter to the Champions League final, where they narrowly succumbed to Manchester City. However, the transition to English football proved arduous for the shot-stopper.
A Spell Marred by Instability
Onana's tenure at Manchester United was characterized by frustration, punctuated by a series of high-profile errors that ultimately led to his replacement at the season's outset. The club subsequently loaned him to Turkish side Trabzonspor after acquiring new first-choice goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Reports indicate Trabzonspor holds an option for a permanent transfer this summer.
Regardless of the Turkish club's decision, Manchester United have reportedly resolved to sell Onana when the season concludes. Van der Sar, a four-time Premier League and Champions League winner with United, comprehends this stance despite his enduring admiration for Onana's abilities.
"I thought, and I still think, that he has tremendous qualities – reflections and his feet – but somehow, he has the odd mistake in him that makes you think 'That’s crazy, how can he do that,'" Van der Sar revealed in an interview with Sky Bet.
The Need for Defensive Stability
Van der Sar elaborated on the critical need for consistency from a goalkeeper, emphasizing how it fosters understanding within a defensive unit. "A team wants stability, to know what your goalkeeper is doing so the back four can relate," he stated, pinpointing this as a central issue during Onana's time at United.
He contextualized Onana's struggles within the broader instability that has plagued Manchester United in recent years. "Manchester United haven’t had stability for the last six or seven years – the back four changing, the centre-halves and midfielders changing, coaches changing – so, it’s difficult for new players to come into an environment where the expectations are high," Van der Sar explained.
This environment, he suggested, has hindered numerous arrivals. "A lot of players who have come here in the last eight or nine years have not reached the level that people expected them to reach." Reflecting on Onana's initial signing, Van der Sar admitted, "I absolutely thought that he would succeed when he first came here to United... I thought it was a match made in heaven."
Praise for the New Number One
Turning his attention to Onana's successor, Van der Sar offered positive remarks regarding Ruben Amorim's £18 million summer acquisition, Senne Lammens. "He’s doing well," Van der Sar noted, highlighting the Belgian's adaptation to the Premier League's physical demands.
"It certainly looks like he knows the physicality of the Premier League – I see him coming for balls in the penalty spot and he claims them with confidence, makes saves when needed," he observed, adding that Lammens appears to have "a good package with him to be here [at Manchester United] for a long time."
Looking Ahead to the Premier League
Manchester United's immediate focus shifts to their upcoming Premier League fixture against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The team currently occupies fifth place in the standings, tied on points with Chelsea and Liverpool, while Everton sit in ninth position as the league campaign enters its decisive phase.
