Siddharth Juyal
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson defends under-pressure Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana after a struggling start to his United career
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has backed Andre Onana after a struggling start to his Manchester United career, riddled with errors. Football fans widely regard Alisson as one of the best goalkeepers in the world due to his multiple trophy wins with Liverpool.
Onana faced criticisms from fans and pundits for his big role in the club’s early elimination from the Champions League. United lost four games in the Champions League Group A, winning only one and drawing one as they finished fourth.
United are having a nightmare season as they have already crashed out of the Champions League and the Carabao Cup. The Red Devils are currently lying in the sixth position in the Premier League table, fighting for a top-four finish.
United signed Onana from Inter Milan during the summer transfer window to replace their legendary goalkeeper, David De Gea. The 27-year-old played a pivotal role in Inter’s Champions League campaign last season when they reached the competition’s final.
Onana finished the 2022-23 Champions League campaign with most clean sheets and most saves, showcasing his abilities. United manager Erik ten Hag signed the Cameroon international due to his ability to distribute passes from the back.
Ten Hag has managed Onana during their time together at Ajax and believed he could live up to United’s expectations. However, Onana has struggled to live up to the expectations at the club which demands quick returns from the investments.
Speaking to the reporters (h/t Mirror), Alisson addressed the pressure that comes with replacing a world-class goalkeeper like De Gea. He said:
“Coming from an Italian club to England, to a big club, for a lot of money. This is a lot of responsibility over your shoulders and he came here with the responsibility to be the replacement for De Gea, who maybe was not in the best shape of his career but he was still delivering. He delivered so many good things for Manchester United and so many appearances for Manchester United and (to replace that) is a big step in your career. I think he is capable of this responsibility, but sometimes it takes longer with some than others.”
The Liverpool goalkeeper has suffered from a lapse of judgment which led to critical errors. Still, Alisson’s leadership and significance have earned him admiration from both his peers and the fanbase of our historic rivals.
The Brazilian goalkeeper further added the need for patience and support for Onana, if he is to succeed at United. He said:
“He needs to be patient, he needs to do that with everything that is going on in his life in the best way that he can and I think he is someone who is in this moment needs the support of everybody.”
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Alisson has made some valid points and those points come from his own personal experience. The Brazilian joined Liverpool from the same Italian league where he played for AS Roma.
United need to have patience with Onana while also accepting that there’s more problem at the club than their keeper. The 27-year-old lacked protection from the fragile defence and poor midfield since the start of the season.
