Man United have advised Andre Onana that he will be targeted in the Premier League if David de Gea fails again.
Manchester United are close to signing Inter Milan custodian Andre Onana after David de Gea announced his departure from the club after his contract expired.
Erik ten Hag has told Andre Onana that if he becomes Manchester United's new No. 1 custodian next season, he will face the same early hurdles as David de Gea.
Following the announcement that De Gea, 32, would be departing Old Trafford after 11 seasons, United are nearing an agreement with the Cameroon international. Personal details have already been agreed upon, with just Inter's value remaining a stumbling block as United prepares to submit a second enhanced bid.
Onana, 27, has worked with Ten Hag at Ajax and appears to suit the mould of the Dutch manager's preferred custodian. One of the Serie A star's main assets was a supposed shortcoming of his Spanish predecessor: he was adept with the ball at his feet.
However, De Gea leaves United having been named player of the year four times and having won two Premier League Golden Glove titles. And he was the lone survivor of their title-winning team in 2012/13, his second season at the club.
Following a debut season in which the former Atletico Madrid star appeared to struggle with the physicality of England's top flight, he was given a new contract. And he was singled out by opposing teams who saw an opportunity to exploit his fragility beneath high balls into the area.
Former Marseille and Ireland striker Tony Cascarino has now cautioned Onana that he may face similar difficulties: "De Gea's potential successor, Inter Milan's Andre Onana, appears to be a sensible choice," he said to The Times.
"He has excellent footwork and spent five years at Ajax under Ten Hag." He is not the strongest player, and powerful opponents like Brentford and Newcastle United would put him to the test with deep crosses. He faces the same questions that De Gea did 12 years ago. "United has completed a full circle."
Last season, Onana was a key player in Inter's surprising run to the Champions League final. And it is almost clear that the 1-0 loss to Manchester City was his final appearance for the Italian club.
He won't, however, be in time for United's opening preseason game against Leeds in Oslo. That match is scheduled for July 12 (Tuesday), with Tom Heaton poised to be promoted to the first team after being denied a move to Luton Town.
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