Andre Onana has revealed the advice he received from Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar during his early struggles at Old Trafford.
Onana, 28, endured a difficult start to his Premier League career following a £47.2m move from Ajax last summer.
The Cameroon international signed a five-year deal at Old Trafford but it was initially unclear whether he would even develop into a United regular, with some pundits suggesting it was a mistake to get rid of his predecessor David de Gea.
Onana has improved in recent months, however, and says he is grateful to be able to lean on Van der Sar during some of his darker days at Manchester United.
Van der Sar won four Premier League titles and the Champions League during his six-year spell at Old Trafford before going into the business side of football and working as chief executive of Ajax, Onana’s former club.
‘I had the privilege to have him [Van der Sar] at Ajax and he advised me a lot,’ Onana told Inside United. ‘We had a great time there. We achieved a lot of things together.
‘Obviously, I had the honour to train a few times with him when he was coming to the training sessions. It was nice.
‘He had a great career here and he’s done a lot of thing for Manchester United and for me. I’m still in contact with him and very happy to talk to him sometimes, when we can. Talking about him is something great because he did a lot for me.’
Asked to elaborate on the advice he received from Van der Sar, United’s No. 1 added: ‘I spoke to him when I signed here and even, I think, a few months ago.
‘He told me: “Andre, what can I tell you already? You are already used to the pressure. Just give yourself time and show the world who you are. I already know who you are.”’
Onana had to be at his best to restrict Brentford to just one goal at the weekend as Manchester United marked their return to action with a deflating 1-1 draw in west London.
Erik ten Hag’s side, currently sixth in the Premier League, face struggling Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.
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