Andre Onana provides injury update after ‘difficult weeks’ with hamstring problem | Football

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has issued a positive injury update as he hopes to return for the beginning of the Premier League season.

The 29-year-old picked up a hamstring injury in only his second day back in training last month and has not played in any of the friendlies over the summer.

The Cameroon international’s future was doubtful anyway, with the Red Devils linked with signing a brand new goalkeeper throughout the transfer window to date.

Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez has been touted as a goal and Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma has also emerged as a possible signing.

Nevertheless, Onana believes he can be back in motion soon and is speaking like someone who expects to be first alternative when he is offered to play.

Manchester United’s Premier League campaign begins at Old Trafford against Arsenal on Sunday August 17 and the previous Inter Milan and Ajax man hopes to be playing.

‘I feel good, I feel great,’ Onana told Sky Sports on Sunday. ‘It’s been a couple of difficult weeks, but yeah, hopefully, I can be back for the beginning of the season.

‘I’m having fun with the training with my guys, and we’re looking forward. If we’ve got a superb start against Arsenal, every part is feasible.’

In Onana’s absence Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton have been playing in goal for Ruben Amorim’s side of their pre-season fixtures.

The Red Devils have another friendly to barter before the campaign begins against Arsenal, taking over Fiorentina at Old Trafford on Saturday August 9. The Italian side that has former United goalkeeper David De Gea of their ranks.

It isn’t clear whether the Red Devils will sign a brand new goalkeeper this summer or not as they proceed to pursue quite a lot of targets in various positions.

A striker appears to be a more pressing issue as they chase RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko but face competition from Newcastle for his signature.

Amorim has been keen to indicate that he not only wants recent arrivals but intends to enhance his current players after their disastrous season last time round.

Speaking specifically on his goalkeepers, he said: ‘I feel even if you speak about Andre, you’ll be able to see the goalkeepers. Even Tom is leaner, he’s a unique goalkeeper.

‘Altay did rather well, and Onana goes to be higher, like the opposite guys, this 12 months.’

After a 2-2 draw with Everton in Atlanta on Sunday, the manager said: ‘One team can at all times improve with more players but we’ve got players to make that competition,’ he said.

‘We’d like to enhance as a team, we’ve got potential to enhance with our players and I’m really glad with the squad.’

Onana got here in for criticism last season, notably from former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic who said he’s ‘one in every of the worst goalkeepers’ within the club’s history.

The Red Devils stopper had spoken of fancying United’s probabilities against Lyon within the Europa League and Matic, who’s with the French club, didn’t take kindly to that assertion.

‘Should you are one in every of the worst goalkeepers in Man United history then it’s worthwhile to take care what you’re talking about,’ he said.

‘If David de Gea, or Van der Saar or Peter Schmeichel say that then I’d query that.

‘But in case you are statistically one in every of the worst goalkeepers in Man United’s history then he needs to indicate that before he says it. We are going to see.’

MORE: Marcus Rashford scores first Barcelona goal amid registration delay

MORE: Chelsea to sell £53m midfield duo after just five Premier League starts

MORE: Jeremy Jacquet responds to Arsenal transfer approach