Andre Onana vs David De Gea: Are Man Utd signing a better goalkeeper?

David De Gea’s 12-season spell at Old Trafford ends as United welcome a new goalkeeper to their squad.

Manchester United is on the brink of securing a significant transfer as they close in on the £43 million signing of Andre Onana from Inter Milan. 

The 27-year-old goalkeeper has previously worked with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag during their time at Ajax. With David de Gea’s departure from Old Trafford, the stage is set for Onana to step in as the new No. 1 goalkeeper. 

But how does he compare to De Gea? In this article, we delve into Onana’s attributes, playing style, and potential impact on Manchester United’s fortunes.

A Ball-Playing Keeper 

Unlike De Gea, who lacked the ball-playing attributes desired by Ten Hag for his preferred style of play, Onana is a confident and calm presence outside of his penalty area. 

He is known for his risk-taking and positive mentality, which aligns well with the modern role of a goalkeeper. Although there are concerns about potential mistakes arising from his daring style, the benefits of Onana’s approach appear to outweigh the risks.

Statistically, Onana’s performances in possession are particularly impressive. In Serie A last season, he boasted a 100% success rate with ‘short passes’ (between five and 15 yards). Additionally, his overall passing accuracy of 81.3% was higher than De Gea’s 71.1%. Onana also excelled in successful progressive passes, averaging 567.1 yards per game, significantly more than the former Man Utd goalkeeper.

A new leader at Old Trafford?

With the impending arrival of Andre Onana at Manchester United, there’s more to his impact than just his goalkeeping skills. 

The Cameroonian shot-stopper is seen as a leader, and his confident and strong personality could make him a vital asset not only between the sticks but also in the dressing room.

“A born leader, Andre Onana will be an important asset for Manchester United between the sticks and in the dressing room,” BBC Africa’s Victoire Eyoum has said about the keeper.

“His skills with the ball at his feet, composure under pressure, and exceptional reading of the game have been highly praised. However, one of his most significant strengths lies in his unwavering confidence, both in his own abilities and in his teammates.”

Most observers believe Man Utd’s mentality has improved significantly since Ten Hag’s arrival. 

The Dutchman has recently stripped Harry Maguire of captaincy, with Bruno Fernandes set to become the new Man Utd skipper. Having Onana in the squad would provide Ten Hag with more support in the dressing room as United go through this transition.

Too much controversy?

For most of his Man Utd career, De Gea was rarely a fan-favourite. But his calm personality and composure still earned him respect from the club’s supporters.

Man Utd fans should prepare to see a completely different personality between the posts next season. 

“Onana’s eccentricity, arrogance and temper are reminiscent of 90s legends Oliver Kahn, Jose Luis Chilavert and Schmeichel himself,” Italian football journalist Alessandro Schiavone has said about Onana.

Onana was banned from football for a year after failing a doping test in 2021. However, he bounced back by finding a fantastic start at Inter, securing Nerazzurri’s No.1 spot ahead of Samir Handanovic.

Another controversy saw Onana announce his retirement from international football last December. The former Ajax keeper left Cameroon’s World Cup camp after a dispute with coach Rigobert Song.

“With a history of high-profile fallouts, there are no doubts that he comes with a baggage,” Schiavone added. “But that’s a good thing, his character and strong self-confidence will rub off on everybody at United.”

Onana vs De Gea: 2022-23 stats comparison

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