Andre Onana Reveals He Rejected Arsenal and Chelsea Before Joining Manchester United

Onana’s Journey to Old Trafford

Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana has disclosed that he turned down offers from both Arsenal and Chelsea before securing his move to Manchester United in the summer of 2023. The shot-stopper, who previously excelled at Ajax under Erik ten Hag, reunited with his former manager after a successful stint at Inter Milan.

Onana’s name had been frequently linked with major European clubs over the years, and he finally made his way to the Premier League with United. However, before signing at Old Trafford, he had the opportunity to join two of England’s biggest clubs.

Why Onana Rejected Arsenal and Chelsea

In an interview with CARRE, Onana shed light on the clubs that had shown interest in him, revealing:
“I had Monaco, I had Nice, I had Atletico Madrid, I had Chelsea, Arsenal…”

Arsenal had been keen on signing Onana as early as 2021 when his contract with Ajax was nearing its end. However, the Gunners opted to bring in Aaron Ramsdale instead, and later added David Raya to their squad. This decision effectively ended their pursuit of Onana, even when he became available again after his time at Inter.

Chelsea, on the other hand, were serious contenders for his signature in 2023, actively competing with United for his services. The Blues have struggled to find a long-term solution between the posts since Thibaut Courtois’ departure to Real Madrid in 2018. Kepa Arrizabalaga failed to meet expectations, while Edouard Mendy’s tenure was short-lived before he was replaced by Robert Sanchez. Chelsea saw Onana as a potential fix to their goalkeeping issues, but ultimately lost out to United.

Onana’s Performance at Manchester United

Since joining United, Onana’s performances have been a mixed bag. While he has produced some remarkable saves, he has also been responsible for costly mistakes, leading to speculation about his future at the club. Reports suggest that he could be on the move again, but the goalkeeper remains determined to prove himself at Old Trafford.

With the season nearing its end, questions remain about whether Onana will be United’s long-term number one or if the club will look for alternatives. What do you think—should United stick with Onana, or is it time for a change?