JAKARTA - Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag said the reason behind the purchase of new goalkeeper Andre Onana from the 2022/2023 Champions League finalists Inter Milan was because of his team's need for a goalkeeper who could play modern football.
Ten Hag said Onana's skills were the ability to be involved in building attacks from behind.
"Currently, football is also demanding a good game from behind, a great quality of play, and that is the quality of Andre has," Ten Hag said, quoted by Antara from the club's official website, Saturday.
The 53-year-old coach said Onana's recruitment was also because the goalkeeper was good at keeping goalless. The Cameroonian goalkeeper has performed 255 times in all competitions with the club he defended, Ajax Amsterdam and Inter Milan, recording 104 clean sheets.
"The most important thing, always for a goalkeeper, is a clean sheet and he doesn't do it alone," said Ten Hag.
Onana's arrival became a reunion event for goalkeepers and coaches who had worked together at Ajax for 4.5 seasons. The cooperation between the two at that time resulted in six trophies, namely 3x Eredivisie (2018/2019, 2020/2021, 2021/2022), 2x KNVB Cup (2018/2019, 2020/2021), and 1x Johan Cruyff Shield (2019).
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From that, the Dutch coach knew very well the figure of Onana who according to him had the character of a winner.
"He really wants to win. He really, really wants to win trophies and he will help the team and he will help the squad to move up to a higher level," said the coach who was born on February 2, 1970.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper's arrival at Old Trafford also reunited with Leandro Martinez, a defender who also worked with him while at Ajax.
Ten Hag said this was very good to facilitate coordination in the Red Devils' backline in the future.
"Does he have a good relationship with Martinez at Ajax? Yes, of course. With a centre-back, communication is very important. It's always very important. It's about cooperation, team. Goalkeepers with four defenders, goalkeepers with the rest of his team. It must be connected," said Ten Hag.
Meanwhile, Onana was contracted by United until 2028 with the option of an extension the following season. He became MU's second signing for next season after Mason Mount from Chelsea FC.
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