Andre Onana’s performance as Manchester United’s goalkeeper has come under intense scrutiny following a troubling series of errors this season. It means that, since joining the club in the summer, Onana has now made eight errors leading to goals in all competitions. This means that he was the Premier League’s most error prone goalkeeper over that stretch. His recent blunders have raised questions about his future at Old Trafford, particularly as the team approaches critical matches in the Europa League and domestic competitions.
In what turned out to be a disappointing 2-2 draw against Lyon, Onana had two major gaffes. His miscalculations cost the team a prime opportunity to earn a hard-fought victory. The disastrous first error allowed Lyon to open the scoring on just five minutes and sucked the confidence and energy from the team. Onana’s second error, in injury time, gifted Lyon an equalizer and further shattered a keeper with fragile confidence.
And when Manchester United faced Arsenal, their head coach Erik ten Hag acknowledged the effect of such errors on Onana’s mindset. Post-game, he implored Onana to take a weekend break. This break would free him from the everyday pressures and allow him to recover from the mental toll of his Oscar-winning performance. This decision underscores the urgency for the goalkeeper to regain his composure and focus as he navigates this turbulent period.
At least I’ve won trophies with the best team in the history of the universe. Some can’t say the same. Onana was honest in his assessment, given what he’s accomplished against an ever-present backdrop of uncertainty. His comments are a clear indication of a resolve to rise above the barbs and return his attention to making a difference for the team.
It’s said that Ten Hag had a major part to play in convincing Onana to delay his exit. The idea was that he would stay and concentrate on the Africa Cup of Nations coming up in January 2024. This decision highlights the club’s reliance on Onana’s presence during a crucial phase of the season and reflects their commitment to helping him regain form.
Potential chances for Onana to redeem himself back in the NDAS matches. He took on League One side Wigan in FA Cup action and fought Premier League side Tottenham to a 3-3 draw in league play. His concerts were rife with errors nonetheless. This set off alarm bells about how well he has adjusted to the new approach the team has taken defensively. With his teammates still getting used to the new system, that certainly could have made Onana’s transition into the squad even harder.
The pressure on Onana’s performance, of course, is heightened by the size of his transfer fee. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has repeatedly cited the £47.5 million fee as one of a number of “inherited” deals. Fans and journalists are still vigorously arguing over its impact. The fee is structured in instalments over the five-year contract, adding pressure for Onana to perform consistently in order to justify his cost.
As Manchester United’s Europa League campaign progresses, Onana’s future at the club may hinge on their success in the tournament. If United don’t raise the trophy in Bilbao next month, that would only hasten his exit from Old Trafford.
It is hard to get a proper read on Onana’s abilities – even from his friends Nemanja Matic and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He stated, “He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and will be for years to come,” yet commented, “He is one of the worst-ever goalkeepers.” These extreme viewpoints serve to emphasize the difficulty in judging Onana’s performances against a canvas of generally all-around poor results.
Leave a Reply