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

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

The 29-year-old picked up a hamstring injury in just 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 in doubt anyway, with the Red Devils linked with signing a new goalkeeper throughout the transfer window so far.

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

However, Onana believes he will be back in action soon and is speaking like someone who expects to be first choice when he is available to play.

Manchester United’s Premier League campaign begins at Old Trafford against Arsenal on Sunday August 17 and the former 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 few difficult weeks, but yeah, hopefully, I will be back for the start of the season.

‘I’m enjoying the training with my guys, and we are looking forward. If we have a good start against Arsenal, everything is possible.’

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

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

It is not clear whether the Red Devils will sign a new goalkeeper this summer or not as they continue to pursue a number 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 point out that he not only wants new arrivals but intends to improve his current players after their disastrous season last time round.

Speaking specifically on his goalkeepers, he said: ‘I think even when you talk about Andre, you can see the goalkeepers. Even Tom is leaner, he’s a different goalkeeper.

‘Altay did really well, and Onana is going to be better, like the other guys, this year.’

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

‘We need to improve as a team, we have potential to improve with our players and I’m really happy with the squad.’

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

The Red Devils stopper had spoken of fancying United’s chances against Lyon in the Europa League and Matic, who is with the French club, did not take kindly to that assertion.

‘If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United history then you need to take care what you are talking about,’ he said.

‘If David de Gea, or Van der Saar or Peter Schmeichel say that then I would question that.

‘But if you are statistically one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United’s history then he needs to show that before he says it. We will see.’