Manchester United made seven signings in the summer transfer window – the most in one single window for several years and more than half came in the final 24 hours.
The three signings that were made prior to last week’s deadline day were earmarked as Erik ten Hag’s priority targets going into the summer and the club secured their arrivals with relative ease.
Signing a replacement for David de Gea did not look like a priority six months ago but as the 2022/2023 season progressed, it became increasingly likely that the Spaniard’s 12-year-stay at Old Trafford would be coming to an end.
That was confirmed when the season was over and Ten Hag had decided that a reunion with Andre Onana, whom he worked with at Ajax for several years, was the ideal replacement.
Onana became the second signing of the summer after Mason Mount and the Cameroon international has divided opinions so far but Bruno Fernandes, the new Reds skipper, has now come to his new team-mates praises.
“Obviously, if someone has picked Andre to come in and be the goalkeeper of Manchester United then he has to be a big personality,” Fernandes told the official Manchester United website.
“In the past, this club didn’t have many goalkeepers because David was here 12 years, before that Edwin [van der Sar]. If he’s now here and playing that position, it’s because he brings something to the team. He has qualities coming out from the back but he’s also good at stopping shots so that’s what we can expect from him.”
Earlier this week, it was revealed that Onana had made the decision to return to the international fold as he was called up by the Cameroon international side.
The former Inter star endured a turbulent World Cup campaign with his nation and there was little clarity on whether he was available for selection this month.
Despite his decision to return, it is not guaranteed that he will take part in this winter’s Africa Cup of Nations even if Cameroon qualify.
Should he take part in the month-long tournament and Cameroon do well, he could miss several crucial fixtures in the middle of United’s season.
