Andre Onana’s tenure at Manchester United has been marred by a series of high-profile errors, leading to intense scrutiny from fans, pundits, and former players alike. Despite his undeniable shot-stopping abilities and impressive distribution skills, his recent performances have raised questions about his suitability as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
A Season of Unsettling Mistakes by Onana
Since joining United from Inter Milan in 2023 for £47 million, Onana has faced criticism for several blunders. Notably, in a Champions League match against Galatasaray, he conceded two goals from Hakim Ziyech free-kicks, with one slipping under his body and the other being misjudged entirely. These errors contributed to a 3-2 defeat, leaving United bottom of their group.
Former United midfielder Paul Scholes expressed his concerns, stating, “He makes simple saves look difficult… He makes his whole team nervous”. Similarly, pundit Clinton Morrison criticized Onana’s performance against Galatasaray, suggesting he’s “nowhere near being good enough” and that he’s “not better than David de Gea”.
Fans Demand Change
United supporters have voiced their frustrations on social media, with many calling for backup goalkeeper Altay Bayındır to be given a chance. One fan remarked, “He always struggles to set up his defense for set pieces. Bayındır is much better at defending set pieces than Onana”. Others have suggested that his mistakes are making the team nervous, with one user stating, “he makes me nervous. Bayindir is much calmer and more decisive.”
Manager’s Confidence Amidst Criticism
Despite the mounting pressure, United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, has publicly backed Onana. After a 2-2 draw against Lyon, Amorim acknowledged the errors but emphasized, “It can happen… If you play football, you play a lot of games, you can make mistakes”.
Similarly, captain Bruno Fernandes defended Onana, stating, “We have huge belief in him. He knows he made a mistake… He is going to help us many times”.
The Bigger Picture
While Onana’s mistakes have been costly, some argue that the issues at United run deeper. Former goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar suggested that Onana is being unfairly scapegoated, stating, “There are far bigger problems at Manchester United”. He pointed to the club’s overall performance, which saw them finish 15th in the Premier League, as indicative of systemic issues rather than individual failings.
Conclusion
With the transfer window approaching, speculation about Onana’s future at United is intensifying. Reports indicate that the club is monitoring potential replacements, including Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez and PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma. However, Amorim’s continued support suggests that Onana may yet have an opportunity to prove himself.
As the season progresses, his performances will be under the microscope. Whether he can overcome the criticism and regain the trust of fans and pundits alike remains to be seen.
