Andre Onana is “one of the great goalkeepers in the world,” according to Daley Blind, but he needs to stay focused.

The long-serving David de Gea was replaced at Old Trafford by the Cameroonian goalkeeper, who joined Manchester United from Inter this summer. He is the team’s indisputable number one. Onana has had a rocky beginning to his time at United, but he is beginning to settle in.

After conceding 10 goals in four Premier League games, Onana’s blunder for Bayern Munich’s first goal set the tone for their 4-3 Champions League victory over United earlier this month. Since then, things have calmed down, as seen by consecutive clean sheets against Crystal Palace and Burnley.

With his great back-passing and willingness to step out of his box to help the team progress up the pitch, Onana can undoubtedly change United’s style of play under Erik ten Hag, but he hasn’t yet found his best form for his new squad.

With stints at Ajax in between, Blind played 141 games for Manchester United between 2014 and 2018, the latter two of which he shared with Onana. Now a player with Girona, the defender clarified that Onana was at the peak of his game, but only “when he has his head right.”

Speaking in an interview with The Athletic, Blind explained of the goalkeeper: “He’s one of the great goalkeepers in the world. He has a nonchalance, he’s complete and when he has his head right he can be one of the best goalkeepers. He’s a winner. Always wants to train more. I had a good relationship with him.”

Blind, who won the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Europa League trophy across his four years at Old Trafford, also spoke of his other former Ajax teammates who are now at United. He added: “There are other players who I played with at Ajax who are now at United — Antony was a big signing when he arrived and he showed his talent straight away.

“Neres (a fellow Brazilian midfielder) was there to help him a lot and he developed quite well. Donny van de Beek is a very good guy and a very good player, but big injuries have been an issue for him. They can be hard to come back from.”

He added of Van de Beek: “Donny’s a real No 10 and there are not a lot of teams who play with a No 10 in top football. I think he can adapt to new positions if he gets time. He has the quality to be a top player at United, but United doesn’t wait for anyone.”