New goalkeeper has explained why he picked the unusual No.24 shirt, while he believes is one of the best coaches in the world.
The Cameroonian shot-stopper has become the third-most expensive goalkeeper in the world after from finalists Inter to Old Trafford.
He will not wear the usual No.1 shirt for United, which has been vacated following the departure of David de Gea, instead opting to continue with the No.24 – which he has worn previously at Ajax and Inter.
Onana’s shirt choice references his date of birth – 2/4, the second of April – and he is hoping it brings good luck in Manchester.
Asked about his choice of shirt number, the 27-year-old told MUTV: ‘I just like that number and it’s my birthday, my date of birth.
‘So for me it’s great and I like this shirt. With this number we have done a lot and I hope this will continue.’
Onana’s move to Old Trafford sees him reunite with Ten Hag and a trio of former Ajax team-mates – Lisandro Martinez, Antony and Donny van de Beek – and he says that played a big part in his decision.
Asked how big an impact Ten Hag has had on him, Onana continued: ‘Yeah a very big impact, to be honest.
‘We have done a lot of great things together, we reached the semi-final of the Champions League with Ajax. That was not something easy doing this with a smaller club like Ajax. It’s something you only do every 20 or 25 years.
‘We have a great relationship, he’s a top coach, for me one of the best in the world.
‘It’s not about saying [these things], now it’s the time to demonstrate it. It’s not going to be easy, but I’m sure with the team we have, with the spirit we have, we will fight for it and I hope we are going to be successful here.’
On how nice it is to be reunited with his former Ajax team-mates, he added: ‘Sure, sure, because even before I came here I was already in contract with them and they were already giving me some advice about how the club is going, how the players are acting, how everything is going on.
‘So for me it helped me a lot and I’m very happy to be here.
‘I spoke with a lot of players, they all advised me how difficult is to play here, how nice it is also be here because the Premier League is something special, it’s not easy for everyone to play here in this competition. But they’ve already given me some advice so I just have to put it into practice.’
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