Man Utd’s Andre Onana explains why he grabbed the number one shirt despite David de Gea’s exit

Andre Onana’s special connection to the number 24 shirt is why the new Manchester United goalkeeper decided not to replace David de Gea as the club’s number one.

The £47.2m signing joined United earlier this week and although he will replace De Gea as Erik ten Hag’s first-choice goalkeeper, Onana has decided not to take his famous shirt number. De Gea, 32, recently left the Red Devils after his £375,000-a-week contract expired after 12 years of outstanding service.

With the new season approaching, Ten Hag – who worked with him at former Ajax – quickly signed Onana as the Spaniard’s successor. His revelation on Thursday left fans confused as to why the former Inter Milan shot-stopper did not take the number one shirt as predicted.

Onana said she cited her April 2nd birthday as the reason the club’s media: “I just like that number. It’s my birthday, my birthday. To me it’s great, it’s beautiful.”

The Cameroonian also used 24 at Ajax and Inter, where he established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, especially when the ball was at his feet. Onana explained her numerical decision: “I like this shirt because [in] this shirt, this number we’ve done a lot and I hope it continues.”

A Champions League finalist with Inter last season, the 27-year-old now feels the time is right to prove his worth in the Premier League. “It’s not like everyone has a chance to play for United,” Onana added.

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“For me, if you’re at this big club, you’re already one of the best in the world, so you just have to show that next month when the competition starts and I think I deserve it, I deserve a lot of things and I’m very happy with what we’ve done.

“The clean sheets were not just myself: of course my teammates, defenders and forwards, because the first defender would be my forwards. Also my goalkeeping coach. We work every day to keep a clean weekend, so for me it’s great.”

Asked why United signed him, Ten Hag praised Onana’s quality on and off the pitch. “We’re delighted, of course,” declared the Red Devils boss.

“I think with his physical presence and also with his personality, he’s so eager to win. He’s so, so eager to win awards and he helps the team and the team get to a higher level.”

After linking up with his new team-mates during their US pre-season, Onana could make his debut when the youthful Red Devils face League Two newcomers Wrexham on Wednesday, but is more likely to make his first bow the following day against Real Madrid.