Red Devils star Andre Onana snubbed two Manchester United legends after he picked the best player in his position, saying that he made him “think differently.”
Andre Onana left Inter Milan and arrived at Old Trafford last summer after Manchester United legend David de Gea left the Premier League club.
The 27-year-old Cameroonian had previously worked with Erik ten Hag at Ajax and Onana was seen as the clear favourite to replace David de Gea between the sticks.
Onana had impressed at the San Siro last season, with the former Ajax and Inter Milan star playing a key role in his side’s scintillating Champions League run.
Despite Inter’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the final, Manchester United No 1 Onana kept the most clean sheets in the Champions League last season with eight.
Following his £47.2m move to Old Trafford, the Cameroon international had to weather the storm at United after he was criticised for his mistakes.
However, United boss Erik ten Hag kept faith with Onana in the current campaign and the Red Devils star has since turned things around at Old Trafford.
Onana snubs two Man Utd legends
Speaking to Inside United (via Manchester United’s official website), Andre Onana candidly opened up about his admiration for one legendary player.
Onana snubbed the likes of United legends Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar when he asked about the best player in his position.
Peter Schmeichel, who was a key part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s iconic treble-winning team, has openly spoken about Onana’s first season at Old Trafford during punditry.
Edwin van der Sar, who won the Champions League under United legend Sir Alex Ferguson, was Ajax CEO when Onana played under Erik ten Hag at the Dutch side.
Manchester United ‘keeper Onana was asked about his idols and he praised the influence that Bayern Munich and Germany legend Manuel Neuer had on him.
The former Ajax star insisted that Manuel Neuer made him “think differently” and admired the legendary ‘keeper’s performances at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Onana told Inside United: “Well, who has inspired me the most?”
“That is a very good question because, being a goalkeeper and especially trying to be a modern goalkeeper, you have to look to a lot of goalkeepers.
“If I had to choose one who made me think different, I would say Manuel Neuer.
“Why? Because of his way, the way he plays. At the World Cup in 2014, I remember, when they won in Brazil.
“When I was watching that World Cup, I found someone I wanted to look like, he made me think differently.
“Obviously, before him, I was still in the academy but I had a lot of goalkeepers I was looking up to and who I was thinking of.
“But, if I have to choose one, I would say Neuer. He made me think differently.”
Onana on what he likes about Neuer
Neuer has had a prolific playing career at both club level and on the international stage, with the German widely praised for his ability as a sweeper-keeper.
The 38-year-old has lifted 11 Bundesliga titles, two Champions Leagues and five German Cups with Bayern, as well as a World Cup with Germany in 2014.
Neuer also challenged for the 2014 Ballon d’Or award and finished third in the rankings behind Barcelona icon Lionel Messi and United legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
Onana admitted that he likes how Neuer, who has spoken highly of the Cameroonian, takes on responsibility and how he handles “all the pressure.”
“You know, he’s a modern goalkeeper and a modern goalkeeper, for me, that means he takes a lot of responsibility and deals with all the pressure,” he added.
“You are the spare man and the team has to use you as a normal player, you know.
“So, you are the plus one most of the time. So, for me, he is one of the best at doing this and I say it’s a big honour to speak about him.”
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