In Focus: Inter stopper Onana the perfect fit for Red Devils

Manchester United are set to replace David de Gea with Inter Milan's Andre Onana.

The Spaniard's 12-year-stay at Old Trafford is over and Erik ten Hag has wasted no time in hunting down a replacement.

Onana, 27, was outstanding as Inter produced an impressive run to the Champions League final, won the Coppa Italia and finished third in Serie A.

As the deal edges closer to completion, we analyse what the Cameroonian would add if he joins the Red Devils.

Changing Gea

De Gea was United’s first-choice goalkeeper for 12 years but the 32-year-old has now left as a free agent.

Despite keeping the most clean sheets in the league last term (17), he struggled to adapt to the ball-playing requirements of Ten Hag’s system.

His passing accuracy of 68.33% in 2022-23 ranked just 15th among Premier League goalkeepers.

Onana, meanwhile, boasted a 79.17% passing accuracy in Serie A — ranking him fourth compared to other stoppers.

A positive guy

Onana's World Cup ended prematurely after a falling out between the goalkeeper and his international coach Rigobert Song.

But Inter boss Simone Inzaghi refuted any suggestion that his stopper suffered from a poor attitude.

He said: "There was a misunderstanding [with the Cameroon national team] that [Onana] paid the price for but I heard from him and he's calm.

"I can talk about how he's gotten on at Inter, he's a positive guy, and when he's been asked to be on the bench he's sat on the bench, when he's been asked to play he's played."

Ten Hag reunion

Ten Hag wants a goalkeeper perfectly aligned with his philosophy and Onana — who worked with him at Ajax — fits seamlessly with his style.

In April, Ten Hag outlined the demands he places on a goalkeeper and made it clear that he prized ability with the ball very highly — though not at the cost of their shot-stopping qualities.

He said: "Stopping goals is the main job for a goalkeeper, everyone has their own particular style.

"Nowadays, in possession, it has become more and more important at the top levels. But at the end of the day, it is about stopping goals, shots, crosses, one-on-ones."

Problem solved

United have already confirmed the signing of Mason Mount and look set to make their second purchase of the window in Onana.

Ten Hag will be pleased with these first two captures as he seeks to continue his side's evolution after their first year under him.

Onana will bring calmness and quality to the Red Devils' build-up play from deep next season and is equally adept when going direct, making 24 passes into the final third in Serie A last term — exceptionally impressive for a goalkeeper.

He will hope that his arrival coincides with United's return to the upper echelons of the football world.