Manchester United face Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals this month and one player could have ended up on the other side.
André Onana joined Manchester United in the summer of 2023 as a replacement for David de Gea, who had left on a free contract.
The goalkeeper had just reached the Champions League final with Inter and was considered one of the best in his position with the ball at his feet.
Since then, the Cameroon international has had a turbulent time at Old Trafford. Despite patches of good form, regular mistakes have led to criticism.
Despite his questionable time at the club so far, United were not the only club interested in Onana in that 2023 summer transfer window.
Onana reveals he was close to Lyon transfer
Speaking to Le Media Carre earlier this month, the 28-year-old goalkeeper confirmed a host of clubs, including Premier League rivals Chelsea and Arsenal, were interested in him that summer.
“I had Monaco, I had Nice, I had Atletico de Madrid, I had Chelsea, Arsenal [interested in me],” Onana explained.
But when pressed on which side he was closest to joining, Onana revealed that he had spoken with the president of Lyon, who United are facing in the Europa League quarter-final this month.
“Lyon,” he responded. “I spoke with the president [and] the technical director, so it was advanced anyway. It was difficult for me to speak with the president because I decided to learn Italian.”
Onana set to start vs Lyon in Europa League
United are now set to face the French side who nearly signed Onana in their most important games of the season so far.
Winning the Europa League would secure Champions League football for Ruben Amorim’s side next season, which would be a huge boost for the club.
In other circumstances, Onana might not have been the one between the sticks for United in these two games due to his questionable form.
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However, with Altay Bayındır still out of action with an injury, the ex-Ajax star is set to start both games against Lyon, and he will be hoping to impress.
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