Onana outing can usher in new era at Old Trafford
Andre Onana could be in line to make his first Old Trafford appearance in Manchester United's friendly with Lens on Saturday (kick-off 12:45 BST).
While new signings arrive each and every summer, there is something special about the former Internazionale man, who is set to replace the departed David De Gea as first-choice keeper.
It is testament to David's long and successful service that the last time the home crowd witnessed a new number one (yes, Andre is wearing no.24!) stepping out at the Theatre of Dreams was way back on 5 August 2011.
The occasion was Paul Scholes's testimonial against a New York Cosmos XI and things were very different at United. Sir Alex Ferguson, of course, was still manager and Scholesy was saying farewell, only to ultimately go back on his decision to retire from the game.
De Gea, newly recruited from Atletico Madrid, played the first half before being replaced by Anders Lindegaard, and kept a clean sheet as we won 6-0, with Scholes, inevitably, among the goalscorers. Wayne Rooney, Anderson, Danny Welbeck and Mame Biram Diouf (2) also found the net, in front of the watching Pele and Eric Cantona.
The only Red from that fixture still at Carrington at the moment is Jonny Evans, who signed a short-term deal earlier this summer. The centre-back was one of the substitutes that night, along with a youthful Paul Pogba, who came on for Scholes.
De Gea's first competitive home encounter came when keeping a clean sheet in a 3-0 victory over Tottenham soon afterwards, and his next one was the famous 8-2 victory over Arsenal, as he saved a penalty from future Red Robin van Persie.
So much water has passed under the bridge since the Old Trafford faithful last welcomed a new first-choice keeper. Such was the longevity of the likes of Peter Schmeichel, Edwin van der Sar and De Gea and, going back further, Alex Stepney and Gary Bailey, it's not been something that happens too often at a club like United.
Hence, for those present on Saturday, get behind our new man with the gloves and let's hope he can have the sort of impact and success enjoyed by the aforementioned peers!
The opinions in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Manchester United Football Club.