Ballon d’Or 2023: Where Man Utd’s sole nominee finished

Manchester United’s Andre Onana finished 23rd in the 2023 Ballon d’Or rankings.

The goalkeeper was the only player nominated from the Red Devils, although the award recognises the achievements of last season, when Onana was playing for Inter Milan.

The 27-year-old made 41 appearances for the Italian club and kept 19 clean sheets in 2022/23, as they made it to the Champions League final and won the Coppa Italia. Onana left Inter last summer and joined United in a deal that could be worth up to £47.5m, replacing David de Gea as no.1.

While Onana has endured a difficult start to life at Old Trafford, the Cameroon stopper has put in three impressive displays since returning from October’s international break. Onana made two superb stops to keep out Erling Haaland in Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, and earned out highest United player rating at Old Trafford.

He’s also been backed by manager Erik ten Hag, who last week said Onana will need time to adjust to the pace of the Premier League.

His accomplished displays in 2022/23 were recognised on Monday, however, as he finished above the likes of Ruben Dias, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka in the final Ballon d’Or rankings. Onana was one of 30 players who made the shortlist for the award, with Erling Haaland or Lionel Messi expected to scoop the top prize.

As well as Haaland, Josko Gvardiol, Dias, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Julian Alvarez made up the City contingent of nominees, along with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.