Manchester United remain active in the summer transfer window despite having made three signings.
Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund have all joined the club as United strengthened their squad ahead of the new season. Despite the incomings, there has also been outgoings.
The latest of which came this weekend when Brazilian midfielder Fred joined Fenerbahce. His departure means there is potentially a space in central midfield which needs filling.
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It is widely understood United want to sign a defensively-minded player to fill the gap and have been linked for several weeks with Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat. However, a new name has joined the rumour mill in the form of Everton's 21-year-old Amadou Onana. MEN Sport has broken down who the midfielder is and what he will bring to the club if signed.
Who is Onana?
Originally born in Senegal, the 21-year-old represents Belgium and has made six international appearances. The midfielder came through the ranks at SV Zulte Waregem before being picked up by Hoffenheim in 2017.
Onana did not make a senior appearance for Hoffenheim and joined Hamburger on a free transfer in 2020. He made 26 appearances and scored three goals earning him a transfer to Lille a year later.
The Toffees purchased Onana for £33.5m after being impressed with his debut season in Ligue 1. Although it was a difficult season for Everton, the 21-year-old stood out leading to reported interest from United.
Where does he play?
Predominantly, Onana is a defensive midfielder but he has featured further forward in the middle or, if the circumstances dictate, in the No. 10 role. Despite being in a relegation threatened team, Onana didn't make any mistakes which led to goals last season. He's an anchor in central midfield, making on average 2.2 tackles per game and being dribbled past just 0.4 times on average in 90 minutes.
What have his managers said about him?
When he first arrived at Goodison Park, then manager Frank Lampard could not speak highly enough of him. He said: "Amadou is a player we were really keen to bring to Everton.
"He has many great qualities to help strengthen our midfield and, at just 20, has massive potential to get better. I spoke to him about why Everton was the right club for him and we're all looking forward to him showing what he can bring to the team."
While many see Onana as a defensive midfielder, current Everton boss Sean Dyche is confident the Belgian can become a goalscoring midfielder. He explained in March: "I don’t want to play him further forward because it’s more about his development as a player. I think it’s about the more things you can add to your performance, especially when you’re young.
"When you’re young, you can adapt your game and we want Ama to be able to adapt and look at his role in midfield. I think it’s more of a European thing but they’re very method bound and sometimes from a very young age they say: ‘You’re that player.'
"But when I was growing up, midfielders were all-rounders, they could do a bit of everything. I’m already speaking to him and showing him clips of games, saying: ‘This is what you can add into your game.’
"I think with his physicality, driving into the box is a real good weapon. He’s a powerful boy, he will head it and he’s got an eye for it but then you’ve got to arrive in the box more.
"You’ve got to educate him on the runs into the box, his physical needs and capabilities, work on that to give him the chance to do that just on the physical nature. Demanding that you get in the box but the game of course works both ways.
"Bryan Robson had an amazing engine, because he’d just keep getting in the box and he’d still run back, he’d still defend, he’d still do his midfield work but he could drive in the box. I’m a bit old now, looking at that, but I can see that in Ama to add to what he already is."
Could he sign for United?
It is no secret United are having to be wise with their money for the remainder of the transfer window. With another four years on his contract and having signed for £33.5m, Everton will want a sizeable fee.
However, the Toffees are also in need of reinforcements and may need to sell in order to do just that. If the Reds are interested, Everton may sell Onana for their greater good.
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