Onana Explains Why He Rejected Arsenal and Chelsea for Man United | OneFootball

Why Andre Onana Chose Manchester United Over Arsenal and Chelsea

Career Choices Shape Legacy

For Andre Onana, the path to Old Trafford wasn’t one of default or desperation. It was deliberate. The Cameroonian goalkeeper, speaking to CARRE, made it clear that both Arsenal and Chelsea were in for him before he ultimately signed with Manchester United in the summer of 2023.

“I had Monaco, I had Nice, I had Atletico Madrid, I had Chelsea, Arsenal…” Onana said.

These weren’t idle name-drops. They represent a timeline of interest stretching back to his Ajax days, where his dynamic shot-stopping and distribution placed him among Europe’s most coveted goalkeepers. Yet, amid the options, it was a return to Erik ten Hag – the manager who helped shape his early professional years – that proved most persuasive.

Familiar Faces Win the Day

It’s tempting to see Onana’s decision as a romantic one. He chose the man who believed in him at Ajax, who oversaw his transformation from raw talent to Champions League-level performer. But the truth may also be pragmatic: Ten Hag understood his strengths and flaws in a way few others did.

This wasn’t about sentimentality; it was about fit. Arsenal had already pivoted towards a more traditional English goalkeeping dynamic with Aaron Ramsdale, and later, David Raya. Chelsea, meanwhile, were in their latest post-Courtois era, cycling through Kepa, Mendy, and Robert Sanchez with no real solution in sight.

Onana’s belief in the United project – or perhaps more precisely, in Ten Hag’s project – ultimately swayed the move.

Highs, Lows and the Stubborn Belief

If the transfer itself was defined by clarity, Onana’s form since arriving in England has been anything but. There have been moments of brilliance, particularly his distribution and reflex saves in high-pressure moments. But they’ve been punctuated – at times undone – by glaring mistakes.

It’s this dichotomy that now casts a shadow over his future at United. Yet, there is no suggestion of him backing down.

“I had Chelsea, Arsenal…” he said, but what’s unspoken is just as important. He’s at Manchester United now – and, crucially, staying.

Reputation at a Crossroads

For a player who has always walked a fine line between brilliance and volatility, the Premier League has proven a brutally unforgiving stage. The same hands that helped Inter to a Champions League final have occasionally fumbled under the weight of Old Trafford expectations.

But Onana’s story at United isn’t finished. What’s more, the goalkeeper seems aware of the stakes and undeterred by the scrutiny. A move away has been rumoured, but his stance remains resolute: he plans to stay.

This isn’t just about form – it’s about character. United, for all their instability, still represent a platform that can elevate or expose. Onana appears to understand both risks.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For United fans, Onana’s revelations to CARRE offer a mixed bag of reassurance and reflection. On one hand, it’s heartening to know the club still holds that magnetism – outpacing Arsenal and Chelsea in a straight battle for a coveted player. That counts for something.

But what now? That Onana is determined to stay could be interpreted as commitment, or as stubbornness. His errors – especially in the Champions League last season – have tested fan patience. Yet, fans also see glimpses of a truly top-class keeper when he’s locked in.

United fans crave consistency. And while Onana hasn’t fully delivered that yet, his rejection of Chelsea and Arsenal shows he believes in something at Old Trafford. The challenge now is turning belief into performances – and silence into applause.