Edwin van der Sar backs Manchester United star with strong mentality to become the best

Ruben Amorim is tasked with getting the best out of a squad of players he didn’t assemble between now and the end of the season. It remains to be seen whether Manchester United will be active in the January transfer market or if they will wait to splurge in the summer.

There will be a requirement for patience as INEOS set a strategy to prioritise young players to develop into world beaters for the future. That is why they spent £52 million to sign Leny Yoro in the summer.

The new head coach has a lot of young talented players at his disposal. In Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, Rasmus Hojlund and Yoro, United have some of the most exciting young players in the world. It’s a dream for a modern coach and he has a lot to work with from the start.

Most pundits would name one of those players as one to become the best in the world over the coming years, but not former United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

The ex-Netherlands stopper has shifted that pressure onto Andre Onana, who has improved this season after a shaky start at Old Trafford. Van der Sar speaks about his experience training with the former Ajax keeper, revealing that he has a strong enough mentality and character to reach the very top.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel, Van der Sar said: “I trained a few times with him and I saw the talent, the strength, the reaction saves.

“He needed experience and needed to make mistakes and of course, he made a few at Ajax and also made a few at United but I think that develops you as a person and as a goalkeeper.

“He’s a very strong character and I think that will help him become one of the very best goalkeepers in the coming years.”

Van der Sar is one of the most respected voices within the game and is someone adored by United fans for his service to the club. The Dutchman was part of the double-winning side in 2008.

Andre Onana is getting better

This season we have seen a vastly improved goalkeeper in Onana.

The Cameroon international has become the most dependable player in the squad, but he was a player brought in by Erik ten Hag.

Amorim has no reason – or good enough cover – to drop Onana, but it’s often the case that managers have their set ways when it comes to keepers.

Onana is an acquired taste keeper.