Andre Onana has been guilty of making too many errors in goal at Manchester United for the second season running
Manchester United are sliding towards their worst-ever Premier League campaign, with the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth last Sunday keeping them 14th in the table.
The Red Devils must win the Europa League to salvage the campaign to some extent. It would also allow them to qualify for next season’s Champions League, as well as allow Ruben Amorim to spend more in the transfer market.
One of their main undoings this season has been the brittle defence. The 20-time English champions have leaked goals at an alarming rate—both in the Premier League and Europe. Ruben Amorim’s side have kept just one clean sheet in the last three months, further demonstrating their defensive woes.
Andre Onana has been at the heart of Manchester United’s chaos in defence. It has been a tough transition for the African glovesman ever since he joined the club from Inter Milan at the start of 2023/24. Across almost two seasons, he has made numerous catastrophic mistakes that cost the team points.
Ahead of the Europa League quarter-final tie with Lyon, ex-Manchester United midfielder—now with Lyon—Nemanja Matic described Andre Onana as “one of the worst goalkeepers” in the club’s history. The United No.1 has made nine errors leading to goals in all competitions during his second season in English football, and Amorim decided to drop him away at Newcastle United last month.
Former Man United assistant manager Mitchell van der Gaag has opened up on Onana and the criticism he has faced from the media, pundits and fans alike this season. The Dutchman thinks the media and social media pressure has hugely impacted the 29-year-old’s performances, calling it an “emotional rollercoaster” being a United goalkeeper.
“It’s an emotional rollercoaster [being a goalkeeper for United],” Van de Gaag told BBC Sport. “That’s what I think looking from the outside now but from last year’s experience as well.”
“We cannot forget the impact Man Utd has on everyone. That criticism is there, excellence is expected and players have to deal with that. The other part is that there will always be comparisons.
“He [Onana] is under pressure and scrutiny but he has overcome many challenges in his career before. At the start of last season, everyone was saying he was United’s best and most consistent player so it can change quickly.”
There is no running away from the fact that United have been appalling to watch again this season. Truth be told, Onana started his second year at the club well, most notably winning the September’s Premier League Save of the Month award for his incredible double save vs Crystal Palace.
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However, the experienced shot-stopper’s form has dipped over the last few months, with his reputation and confidence somewhat taking a hit. The Cameroonian is further not helped by the backline he stands behind, which has been riddled with both injuries and inconsistency, leading to a further drop in belief.
Amorim will hope Onana regains his mojo and ends the 2024/25 campaign on a strong note.