Andre Onana comments show why he is perfect for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United

Manchester United are on the lookout for a new first-choice goalkeeper, and Erik ten Hag might know just the man.

It is now only a week until David de Gea's contract expires, and he is still no closer to signing an extension that would keep him at the club heading into next season.

With seven days left before he becomes a free agent, United have a big decision to make. It could well depend on the feedback they get over the likelihood of a summer move for Andre Onana.

The 27-year-old impressed in the recent Champions League final, earning plaudits for his dominating display even though he ended up on the losing side.

Read next: Chelsea have just given United boost in Mount negotiations

Onana has been recognised as one of the leading goalkeepers in football for the last few seasons, and his performance in the biggest game in club football was another reminder of just how good he is.

He might not be on the same level as De Gea as a pure shot-stopper, but very few are. While he is still primarily good at keeping the ball out of the net, he excels mostly as a goalkeeper who commands his box well and has an extensive passing range.

De Gea often shows his brilliance in moments of redemption when an earlier mistake has occurred, and with someone like Onana in goal instead, there is a belief that United would have much more control on matches and therefore have to rely less on their goalkeeper to bail them out.

Ten Hag will be well aware of his talents himself. The pair worked together at Ajax, where Onana made 145 appearances under the current United boss, though it did turn sour when he was dropped for the Dutch Cup final and never played for the club again.

Onana had returned from a nine-month doping ban in November 2021 but