‘Boom!’ - Andre Onana reacts to losing ‘best goalkeeper in the world’ tag & explains how he intends to get it back at Man Utd

The Cameroon international was at the peak of his powers when arriving at Old Trafford in the summer of 2023. He had just helped Inter to the Champions League final and was considered to be one of the most complete shot-stoppers in the business – with the 28-year-old as strong with his feet as he is with his hands.

Onana was, however, to endure an error-strewn start to life in English football, leading to inevitable questions being asked of his £48 million ($61m) price tag and long-term future. It has not been easy to silence the detractors, but form has been recaptured and the plan is to get back to the very top of the game.

Onana has told BBC Sport of that quest, as he looks to prove himself deserving of a standing among the global elite: “I arrived as the best goalkeeper in the world and ‘boom’ it went down. It was like ‘what happened?’ But that is how difficult football is sometimes. It depends if you want to stay down there or stand up and fight. I know what I did to arrive here. I know who I am. I decided to stand up and fight.”

United are giving Onana plenty to do, with a run of fixtures between March and April seeing them face at least 20 shots per game from Premier League rivals. Their last line of defence added on that workload: “I don’t mind facing 20 or 30 shots. I am very happy with what my team-mates are doing because a lot of them make sacrifices for the team. It would be nice to have everyone back but what can we do? Hide? We are a big club. We have to go on the front foot and deal with difficulties. I am positive. I know things will get better. If not today, tomorrow.”

The Red Devils have an opportunity to end what has been a disappointing 2023-24 campaign on a high as they ready themselves for another FA Cup final appearance. Erik ten Hag – with questions being asked of his future – is drawing up plans for a Wembley showdown with arch-rivals Manchester City on Saturday.