Andre Onana has detailed the evolved role of the goalkeeper ahead of his proposed move to Manchester United.
The Inter Milan keeper is set to move to Old Trafford to return to work with his former manager Erik ten Hag.
Having worked together at Ajax for five years, the pair know exactly what to expect from each other and the Dutch manager is keen to bring Onana’s quality on the ball to his United side.
David de Gea, who left the club when his contract expired at the end of June, didn’t have a top-notch ball game.
Onana, however, is quite the opposite. To understand the role played by the 27-year-old, one must also consider the changed role of the goalkeeper.
The phrase “modern goalkeeper” is now regularly used in the media, as the way the best goalkeepers play from behind is very different today than their predecessors.
“My attitude towards football, especially as a goalkeeper, has changed the most in the last 20 years,” Onana explained, according to Tactics Journal.
Inter No1 put in a perfect performance as a ‘modern goalkeeper’ in last month’s Champions League final against Manchester City. Although he was on the losing side, he had near-perfect possession and helped his team progress through the game and into dangerous areas.
Several passes were pushed through Pep Guardiola’s team press lines. Onana explained that this is something he has learned to be crucial over his years of playing. In fact, Onana also touches on other important attributes that goalkeepers must have today in modern football.
“When I was learning to play, they used to tell me ‘André, you should never play center’ when I was young. But now I’m telling you, if there’s space, come on. “You always have to play where there is space,” he explained.
“And when I talk about a goalkeeper today, I’m talking about a modern goalkeeper who can play with his feet, who is good one-on-one, who is brave, who transmits security and which is good for throwing high conquering balls.
“And having that goalkeeper would be an advantage for your team because you would always be outnumbered at the end. If the opposing team is one-on-one, you only have numerical superiority with the goalkeeper. »
It will give United fans a taste of what to expect. It is understood that the two clubs have agreed a transfer fee for the transfer of Onana and it is only a matter of time before a deal is fully finalized to allow the goalkeeper to surrender with the Reds in the United States.
It will be a big change from what the club were used to with De Gea in charge, but it will certainly help Ten Hag move towards his preferred style of play.
