Zion Suzuki, the talented 21-year-old Japanese goalkeeper, who was on the verge of joining Manchester United before the start of the season, recently reflected on why the deal didn’t materialize.
While he received an offer from Manchester United, Suzuki decided to embark on a different path as he went on loan to Belgian side Sint-Truiden from Urawa Reds in Japan in search of more game time.
Suzuki was heavily rumored to be moving to Manchester United in the summer. After deciding not to extend David de Gea’s contract, the Red Devils were looking for a custodian, and Suzuki emerged as a contender. However, the deal fell through, prompting United to make a significant goalkeeping shuffle by signing Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir from Inter Milan and Fenerbahce, respectively.
🎙️Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki: “My dream is to play in the Premier League. It is true that I have received an offer from Manchester United, but United have acquired Onana this season, so I want to play at a level where I can play.
Even if I can’t go there [Premier League]… pic.twitter.com/Esp9IjXQMg
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) September 28, 2023
Despite the interest from Manchester United, Suzuki has chosen to follow a different path. He acknowledges that Manchester United’s acquisition of Onana this season played a role in his decision. He stated, “My dream is to play in the Premier League. It is true that I have received an offer from Manchester United, but United have acquired Onana this season, so I want to play at a level where I can play”.
“Even if I can’t go there [Premier League] now, I definitely want to go there in a few years. To progress step by step, I decided to move to Belgium,” he added.
Andre Onana is feeling the pressure 😞 pic.twitter.com/5vzOhJ0Zqf
— GOAL (@goal) September 20, 2023
However, Zion Suzuki seeks to reclaim his Manchester United role from Onana. Onana’s Manchester United career has not started on the best note. He has already allowed 13 goals, including a gaffe last week in the UEFA Champions League match against Bayern Munich.
Andre Onana has got the backing of former Manchester United goalkeeper amidst early struggles
The arrival of Andre Onana at Manchester United from Inter Milan in the summer was met with high expectations, but the Cameroonian custodian has had his share of difficulties adjusting to life at Old Trafford. Onana’s struggles, according to former Manchester United custodian Siobhan Chamberlain, may not be entirely his fault, and there may be other factors at play.
When Manchester United secured the services of Andre Onana, they were not only a highly talented shot-stopper but also a goalkeeper known for his coolness on the ball and exceptional distribution. These qualities prompted manager Erik ten Hag to make the bold decision to bring in Onana, relegating club legend David de Gea to a supporting role.
🚨🗣️ André Onana: “Replacing David is not easy. I’m doing my best. Start of season is not something we want. I am confident everything will be right.” #MUFC [MU] pic.twitter.com/qngyYZ4xMs
— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) September 19, 2023
Speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes, Siobhan Chamberlain offered her perspective on the situation, highlighting the need for a collective effort to unlock Onana’s potential. She stated, “Andre Onana has made some mistakes, but his style of distribution has helped Manchester United start from the back”.
Chamberlain’s analysis goes further to explain that the outfield players need time to adjust to Onana’s distribution style. This adaptation involves understanding where they need to position themselves, how to react to Onana’s deliveries, and how to maximize the opportunities that his exceptional distribution can create.
