Man Utd transfer target Onana got doping ban and told fans he ‘didn’t give a s***’, but was so good Ten Hag forgave him
HE has failed a drugs test, been kicked out of international football and already fallen out with the boss who wants him.
But Andre Onana is the man Erik ten Hag believes can take Manchester United another step nearer their past glories.
The summer-long to and fro for the Cameroon keeper looks close to coming to an end, with a £43million compromise for the Inter Milan No 1.
It is clear United boss Ten Hag does not hold grudges as he would not be chasing a goalkeeper who “didn’t give a sh*t”.
Indeed, the reason the door was also left open to Dean Henderson returning to Old Trafford was his feisty spirit.
The fact he wanted to leave on loan for Nottingham Forest last summer — before Ten Hag saw him — and refused a return in the New Year was seen to have annoyed the Dutchman.
But not so.
ETH admired 26–year-old Henderson’s determination for a first-team spot in the Prem — which he landed with Forest before a thigh injury cut short his season in January.
So when Ten Hag fell out with Onana while at Ajax, any thoughts of long-term damage could be dismissed.
For Ten Hag, whose United side kick-off their pre-season campaign against Leeds in Oslo tomorrow with new signing Mason Mount set to make his debut, ability rises before animosity.
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When he became Ajax boss in December 2017 Onana was already the first-team keeper — a position he held until February 2021 when he was banned for a doping offence.
The 6ft 3in stopper accidentally took his wife’s medication while searching for aspirin. Easily done.
Ten Hag stuck with him during his nine-month ban — but all was still not rosy. Indeed, when the boss saw problems with his fitness levels as mistakes started to creep into his game — much like with David de Gea last season — he axed him for the Dutch Cup final.
Onana had already told Ajax fans he “didn’t give a sh*t” when they booed him after an error and he would soon be off to Inter Milan.
But Ten Hag never forgot his qualities, not least his distribution in playing out from the back.
Ederson’s ability to do just that at Manchester City has been a key ingredient in the success of the Red Devils’ “noisy neighbours”.
Yet Onana’s desire to be more than a shot stopper did not go down well with his national team boss and led to his retirement from representing Cameroon.
During last year’s World Cup in Qatar, he was sent home by manager Rigobert Song for what was seen as his risky distribution in the 1-0 opening Group G defeat to Switzerland.
Onana vowed never to play for his country again.
Still, this was a man who helped Inter to the Champions League final against City last month.
And Ten Hag believes he can take United to similar heights now De Gea has become a free agent following the end of his contract.
Henderson is back in Manchester as he continues his recovery from injury, so 37-year-old Tom Heaton is set to start in Norway with 23-year-old rookies Nathan Bishop and Matej Kovar as back-ups.
Ten Hag has previously described Onana as “a masterful keeper”. United have always had them. From Munich Disaster survivor Harry Gregg, to 1968 European Cup winner Alex Stepney.
Peter Schmeichel was the imperious presence during the club’s greatest era of domination until his departure following their historic Treble in 1999.
Edwin van der Sar followed in June 2005 and it was amazing United did not try to get him earlier as they juggled keepers.
His save from Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka in the 2008 European Cup final penalty shootout is an image that will remain in the club’s history.
De Gea — a great shot-stopper — spent 12 years in goal during a very shallow period in United’s history where they managed only one Prem title.
But Pep Guardiola’s arrival in English football has changed things.
Keepers are now sweepers. Goals start with moves from their feet. Assurance at the back stops the high press.
Ten Hag knows he needs someone to fill that role. That man is Onana.
Now all United have to do is agree a price to get him from Inter.