Manchester United’s new signing Andre Onana was once banished from the Cameroon squad for having a row with his manager.
On Thursday United announced they had completed the £47.2million signing of Onana from Inter. The 27-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-year deal, with the option of a 12-month extension.
The deal for Onana is worth an initial £43million plus a possible £3.4million in add-ons. The former Ajax shot-stopper is set to join up with the United squad on the pre-season tour of the United States.
"To join Manchester United is an incredible honour," he said. "I have worked hard all my life to get to this moment, overcoming many obstacles along the way."
Onana will replace David de Gea as the Old Trafford club’s No.1 keeper, with the Spaniard having left in July upon the expiry of his contract after 12 years at the club.
Indeed, De Gea received swathes of criticism for his ability to pass out from the back during his short spell under Ten Hag. It appears that won’t be a problem with Onana between the sticks.
Onana banished by manager
Onana is so proficient and confident with the ball at his feet, it was once the cause of a disagreement between the shot-stopper and Cameroon boss Rigobert Song.The new United keeper was sent home from the World Cup in Qatar following a blazing row with Song.
The initial explanation for Onana’s shock axing was that the keeper had been punished for unspecified disciplinary reasons, however, it was soon reported that the manager took issue with his goalkeeping style.
Indeed, prominent football reporter Fabrizio Romano claimed that Song “insisted” on a “different style of goalkeeping” that was “more traditional” - something that Onana was unwilling to compromise on.
After the fall out Onana decided to step down from international duty altogether, confirming his Cameroon retirement in a lengthy post on social media.
Breaking The Lines sportswriter Ogunniyi Abayomi tweeted at the time: “Andre Onana is one of the top goalkeepers in Europe who has made tremendous saves and played alongside world-class defenders.
“Chasing him out of the World Cup for opting to play as a Sweeper was a ridiculous decision by Song and that should question his capability as the coach.”
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