Andre Onana will give Ten Hag a heart attack — Souness

In the aftermath of Manchester United’s acquisition of Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana, Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has raised doubts about the player’s suitability for the high-pressure environment of the Premier League.

Souness expressed concern over Onana’s ball-handling skills, particularly when opponents close him down, and questioned whether the new signing represents an upgrade over the club’s established goalkeeper, David de Gea.

“In terms of pure goalkeeping and using your hands, let’s see if [Andre] Onana is an upgrade on De Gea – I am not sure,”

“David de Gea in his first four or five seasons at Manchester United won the Player of the Year. He is not top-notch with his feet either and obviously, Erik ten Hag wants someone who is.

Speaking candidly during the Sky Bet Fan Hope Survey, Souness minced no words in his assessment of the 25-year-old goalkeeper.

While acknowledging Onana’s talent as a shot-stopper, the former Liverpool captain highlighted the player’s apparent casualness when handling the ball on his feet in pressured situations.

He pointed out that such a tendency could cause anxiety for coaches and lead to potentially costly mistakes in dangerous areas of the pitch.

Souness also raised comparisons between Onana and David de Gea, who has been a stalwart in the Manchester United goal for several seasons.

The Spanish international, during his initial four to five seasons with the Red Devils, garnered accolades, including being named the club’s Player of the Year.

However, the Liverpool icon questioned whether Onana could outperform De Gea in terms of traditional goalkeeping skills, especially with handling the ball.

One aspect that seemingly prompted Manchester United to pursue Onana’s signature was his proficiency with his feet, a trait highly valued in modern football.

Erik ten Hag, the club’s manager, reportedly sought a goalkeeper capable of playing confidently and effectively from the back, effectively serving as an extra outfield player outside the penalty area.

Souness acknowledged Onana’s strong kicking ability, but also cautioned that taking risks in possession could lead to potential errors, particularly in critical areas of the field.

“Andre Onana is a guy who will give coaches several heart attacks when he’s got the ball at his feet. He is extremely casual when people are closing him down.

“He is a good kicker of the ball, he can really ping it. It is an important part of the game because coming out to play and being that good on the ball gives you another player outside the box.

“It is as good as that. But he will make mistakes because occasionally you will end up making a mistake with a passing mix-up in a very dangerous area.”

The Cameroonian international’s transfer to Manchester United from Inter Milan has drawn considerable attention, with fans and pundits eagerly awaiting his performances in the forthcoming season.

As expectations build, questions surrounding his adaptation to the rigors of the Premier League and his potential to challenge David de Gea for the starting goalkeeper position persist.

Manchester United supporters are hopeful that Onana will rise to the occasion and prove his worth, but the scrutiny and pressure will be intense.

As the new season approaches, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on the Cameroonian shot-stopper, and his performances will be closely analyzed to determine whether he can live up to the expectations set by his illustrious predecessor, De Gea.

The Premier League continues to be a stage where top talents from around the world vie for supremacy, and Andre Onana’s journey at Manchester United is poised to be a compelling storyline in the ever-competitive realm of English football.

With debate surrounding his qualities, only time will tell if he can silence his critics and cement his place as a trusted last line of defense for the Red Devils.