Andre Onana is on very thin ice at Manchester United with Ineos now scouring the globe for a goalkeeper to replace the Cameroonian.
It is difficult for a goalkeeper to restore faith in his abilities when it has completely corroded.
This is the situation facing Andre Onana right now at Manchester United, as last week saw him reach rock bottom after an already troublesome season in goal.
Onana has been a liability this season, costing United on more than one occasion, but against Lyon was the worst moment yet.
It was against Lyon in the Europa League quarter-final that Onana cost United both goals conceded in the 2-2 draw, with potentially season-ending implications depending on what happens at Old Trafford.
Due to this, Onana was dropped for Sunday’s trip to Newcastle, in which Altay Bayindir conceded four goals and proved why United need to strengthen this summer. Now, as Onana prepares to re-take the starting mantle for United vs Lyon, a new No.1 has been linked with the club.
Christopher Vivell eyeing up Kaua Santos for Manchester United
So, with a new goalkeeper certain to arrive this summer, 22-year-old Kaua Santos from Eintracht Frankfurt looks like an increasingly interesting option for United.
Despite his age, Santos would command a fee of £50m from United if he moved this summer, even with just six league starts.
Now, Sport BILD have reported that interest in Santos from United is developing.
The report claims that United’s director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, met with Frankfurt’s Markus Krosche ahead of their Europa League quarter-final first leg against Tottenham Hotspur, while Spurs also had meetings.
This meeting was centred around the Brazilian shot stopper, and his future plans, which is interesting as United have been keen on signing Santos since the Autumn. Now, Santos has most of Europe’s top clubs have him on a shortlist for goalkeepers this summer.
Due to this, Frankfurt are planning for the long term with Santos in goal, and if any club are keen to sign him, it will be a ‘really expensive’ move. The article adds that Krosche has made it clear that under no circumstances will Santos be sold.
Kaua Santos compared with Manuel Neuer
As a goalkeeper, Santos is still in his infancy, and Frankfurt want to see him remain at the club and develop. The report, as aforementioned, continues that Santos’ environment is like Manuel Neuer before he joined Bayern Munich – this being true in potential and style.
This is not the only impressive comparison made with Santos, as the Bundesliga website claims he plays like Manchester City shot stopper Ederson.
Santos’ teammate at Frankfurt, Robin Koch, was full of praise for him, saying that he has “something special”, as quoted in his Bundesliga profile piece.
The breakout performance for Santos came last week in the 1-1 draw with Spurs, in which German football legend Lothar Matthäus described him as “world-class”.
Santos has the potential to be a great goalkeeper in the future, and he would be a big upgrade on Onana right now if United were able to prize him away from the German side.
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