André Onana, the new goalkeeper for Manchester United, has chosen to wear shirt number 24 instead of the traditional number 1. The reason behind this choice is that Onana has a personal attachment to the number 24, which he has worn throughout his professional career. Born on April 2, 1996, Onana has a fondness for the number 24 and has chosen to continue wearing it at Old Trafford.

The number 24 shirt at Manchester United became available in January 2021 when Tim Fosu-Mensah left the club to join Bayer Leverkusen. Over the years, several notable players, including Paul Scholes, David Beckham, and Wes Brown, have worn the number 24 at the club. However, the most prominent player associated with that number is Darren Fletcher, the current technical director of Manchester United, who wore it for the majority of his career with the club.

It is worth noting that Onana’s arrival at Manchester United does not necessarily meаn that he will be the only new goalkeeper joining the team. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson is likely to leave the club and join Nottingham Forest in a deal worth up to £30 million. Consequently, Manchester United may look to bring in additional goalkeepers as backup options for Onana. One potential target is Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Urawa Red Diamonds Club, for whom the club plans to spend £5 million.

Onana’s journey to Manchester United began in Ajax’s youth system, and he made his first-team debut under coach Erik ten Hag in 2017. He played under Ten Hag for several seasons, including during Ajax’s impressive run to the semi-finals of the 2019 Champions League.

In February 2021, Onana received a 12-month ban from UEFA after accidentally taking a banned substance, Furosemide, which is a diuretic. He claimed that he had mistakenly taken his wife’s medication, and Ajax supported him in appealing the ban. The Court of Arbitration for Sport later reduced Onana’s suspension to 9 months.

It is important to mention that Onana’s decision to wear shirt number 24 does not hold any specific significance or symbolism beyond his personal preference for the number.