Andre Onana flies to New Jersey and immediately starts training with his new Manchester United team-mates after joining from Inter Milan for £44m… and he could feature against Arsenal tomorrow
Andre Onana flies to New Jersey and immediately starts training with his new Manchester United team-mates after joining from Inter Milan for £44m… and he could feature against Arsenal tomorrow
Andre Onana was finally able to don his goalkeeping gloves for the first time as a Manchester United player after meeting his new team-mates and completing a training session.
The Cameroonian completed his £44million transfer from Inter Milan to Old Trafford on Thursday and has endured a tumultuous couple of days of flying and media duties for his new team.
Onana flew over from Italy on Tuesday night, underwent a medical in Carrington the next day and flew to join Erik ten Hag’s first team on their America pre-season tour on Friday.
The club’s new number one replaces the gap between the posts left by David de Gea and will have just under a month to settle into his new surroundings before the Premier League launches on August 11.
Despite the long journey, Onana was keen to start training once he arrived in New Jersey and enjoyed a first training session alongside the United stars at the Pingry School training centre.
Andre Onana started his first training session as a Manchester United player on Friday
Onana had to complete a series of goalie drills in the sun after arriving in New Jersey
The new United number one (left) was joined by reserve goalkeeper Dean Henderson (right), who will join Nottingham Forest
The 27-year-old took part in a light training session in the sun, working with the goalkeeping coaches on individual drills alongside other members.
Back-up goalkeeper Dean Henderson worked alongside the club’s new star signing and got a first-hand look at Onana, perhaps wondering about the qualities of his opposite number.
Henderson grew up in United academy but his Red Devils career will soon be over with a move to Nottingham Forest in the offing.
Winger Anthony Elanga, 21, is also expected to follow after the two clubs agreed a £15million deal.
Meanwhile, Onana beamed from ear to ear as he donned a United training top for the first time and underwent simple exercises to get him up to speed after accumulating thousands of airline miles over the past few days.
Onana’s boots had already been put together by United’s kit team and he opted for an orange pair of Adidas Predators as he showed off his skills in front of the cameras.
Balls were thrown into goal from close range while Onana made numerous impressive reflex stops while working on his distribution.
Wearing a United training top for the first time, Onana could make his club debut on Saturday
United manager Erik ten Hag (left) was delighted with his new goalkeeper (right) after the pair previously worked together at Ajax
Onana (left) looked relaxed as he settled into his new team colors as United intensified their preparations for the season
United were keen to bring in the new goalkeeper as he has the finishing skills Ten Hag would want in their number one. De Gea struggled with this before being later sacked.
Onana’s aerial dominance was also put to the test by the coaching staff as he attempted to capture the ball in the air while a makeshift defender took up space in front of him.
Enthusiastic United fans waited to meet their new arrival after training and Onana complied with his requests by taking the time to sign autographs and pose for photos.
He could make his club debut in Friday’s friendly against Arsenal at the MetLife Stadium as the Premier League duo intensify their preparations for the new season.