Andre Onana snubs two Man Utd legends when naming his favourite-ever goalkeeper
Andre Onana snubbed two Manchester United legends when asked to name his favourite goalkeeper of all time.
Some of the greatest goalkeepers in football history have played for Man United, meaning Andre Onana has very big gloves to fill.
The Cameroon international endured a tough start to life at Old Trafford after arriving from Inter Milan last summer, but since the turn of the year his performances have improved.
He looks set to be United's number one for many years to come, and will hope to emulate the success of club icons Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar.
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It might come as a surprise then that Onana snubbed his predecessors when asked to name his favourite goalkeeper.
In an interview with Inside United, the club's official magazine, Onana instead identified Bayern Munich star Manuel Neuer as his goalkeeping inspiration.
"If I had to choose one who made me think different, I would say Manuel Neuer," he said.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"For me, he is still the king because, when you look at that position especially, I think it’s the position that has changed the most in the last 20 years.
"He's a big personality, a big guy. He assumes everything is upon me and he is a good one to look up to."
Topics: Andre Onana, Football, Manuel Neuer, Edwin Van Der Sar, Premier League, Man Utd
Alex Brotherton