Manchester United fans were left astounded by Andre Onana's new position in his impressive debut against Real Madrid.
United lost their first game of pre-season at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, with Jude Bellingham scoring a delicious chip to open the scoring before former Newcastle striker Joselu sealed the victory with a stunning overhead kick late on.
But while Onana conceded twice in his first outing since joining from Inter Milan for £44 million, already you can see what he will bring to United.
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The Cameroonian has been drafted in as David De Gea's replacement, with manager Erik ten Hag looking for a goalkeeper who can play it out from the back.
Onana, who worked with the Dutchman at Ajax, is the very definition of a modern day goalkeeper and he demonstrated that in his first outing.
He had 51 touches on the ball and finished the game with 95% pass accuracy, completing 39 out of 41 attempted pass.
His distribution was outstanding but United fans will have to get used to just how high a position he will take up in games.
The 27-year-old was almost permanently between the centre-backs, sweeping up counter attacks and getting on the ball like a deep-lying playmaker.
Some even likened him to former United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, who did give fans a fair few scares over the years.
One user wrote: "Andre Onana's positioning when Real Madrid begin their build-up. Onana the baller."
A second added: "Onana to Manchester United is giving me Fabien Barthez to United vibes."
A third added: "Andre Onana taking up positions we wouldn’t see De Gea do in A MILLION YEARS. It’s exciting to see! Playing out is a lot more fluid."
A fourth commented: "What is this? Is that Fabien Barthez? I can't remember the last time I saw a goalie, always that far up & playing sweeper and centre-back/goalkeeper role to push team up & take advantage. Amazing."
A fifth said: "He’s a bit mad. I’m getting Barthez flashbacks."
Onana's style will likely cause a stir but his display was hailed by Ten Hag, who feels as the way he will have a monumental impact on the way his team play.
"I think good, solid," Ten Hag said on Onana's first appearance.
"Two very good saves, so he was there in the moment the team needed him, so he did his job, he integrated well in our team.
"This is the first game and detail we have a lot of work to do, the defending part, for the second goal we are not close at the back post, it can't be that a goal can come there. There are rules we have to follow and they will come quick that we integrate into our way of play.
"There are principles but he's a keeper who can be used as a plus one in the back, so we definitely will in our strategy and tactics put that in."
Topics: Manchester United, Fan Reactions, Real Madrid, Andre Onana
Josh Lawless