Manchester United star Andre Onana called out for his lack of focus in goal
In the 2022/23 season, André Onana was widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, having played a crucial role in Inter Milan’s run to the Champions League final. Fast forward to his current stint at Manchester United, and the narrative has shifted dramatically, with Onana now becoming a frequent subject of internet memes and criticism. Former United shot-stopper Ben Foster recently weighed in on the Cameroonian’s struggles, offering not only his analysis but also an intriguing theory behind Onana’s dramatic dip in form.
Onana was left out of the squad for Manchester United’s clash with Newcastle United — a decision that has only deepened speculation about his long-term future at Old Trafford. Manager Ruben Amorim made the deliberate call to drop the Cameroonian, but replacement Altay Bayındır failed to impress, as United slumped to a 4-1 defeat.
The shotstopper is expected to return between the posts for Thursday’s crucial second leg against Lyon in the Europa League. He’ll be desperate to deliver a vastly improved performance after his costly errors in the first leg. However, the nature of his recent omission has raised serious questions about his role in Amorim’s plans. With reported interest from Saudi Arabia, United could consider offloading the 28-year-old this summer if he fails to show marked improvement in the weeks ahead.
The Former keeper shares a rather interesting theory
Foster, speaking on The Football Fill-In via Youtube, offered an insightful perspective on André Onana’s struggles at Manchester United. Foster suggested that Onana’s issues stem largely from a lack of consistent involvement during matches. At Inter Milan, Onana thrived in a high-action environment where he was frequently called into play, staying sharp and engaged. At United, however, he appears far less involved, and as a result, not as focused or intense.
Foster believes that this drop in intensity has been detrimental to Onana’s ability to make decisive saves. He noted that early in his United tenure, the Cameroonian was proactive, retrieving and distributing the ball at a high tempo. But after conceding a long-range goal during pre-season, Foster believes Onana altered his approach, becoming more passive and cautious.
The veteran goalkeeper elaborated on a broader point about the position itself: goalkeepers who play in high-action systems tend to stay mentally sharp because they’re constantly engaged. In contrast, when a keeper goes long stretches without involvement, it becomes more difficult to react quickly in key moments, a challenge Onana is now facing. Here is what he said:
“I’ve got a little bit of a theory for you,”
“Onana is really struggling at this moment in time, and some of the mistakes he’s made this season, I think, have come about from… take it back to when he signed, remember when he first signed for Manchester United and he was this front-footed goalkeeper who would play 50 yards out.”
“I think he needs that… being busy to keep his brain occupied. It’s very difficult for some goalkeepers to be able to just stop, not do anything, not touch the ball for 10-15 minutes at a time and then all of a sudden be asked to make a massive save. It’s a really big skill.”
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Uncertainty continues to surround André Onana’s future at Manchester United, prompting the club to actively explore alternative goalkeeping options ahead of the summer transfer window. Among the names heavily linked is Brighton & Hove Albion’s Bart Verbruggen, who is reportedly being considered as a potential first-choice replacement.
The Dutchman’s growing reputation in the Premier League has made him an attractive option for United, especially as the club looks to reinforce a position that has become increasingly unstable this season. With speculation mounting and the transfer window approaching, Onana now faces a critical few weeks to regain form and prove he still has a long-term future at Old Trafford.