Onana: 4 worst mistakes made by Manchester United goalkeeper

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana concedes from halfway | Imago

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Onana: 4 worst mistakes made by Manchester United goalkeeper

Onana: 4 worst mistakes made by Manchester United goalkeeper

Hassan Abdulsalam 21:35 - 05.01.2024

His future at the club will likely depend on his ability to learn from these mistakes and demonstrate consistent improvement in his goalkeeping abilities.

Andre Onana, Manchester United's goalkeeper, has faced significant criticism for his performance in the 2023/24 season, marked by a series of high-profile errors that have not only cost the team essential games but also raised questions about his suitability for the role.

High-Profile Mistakes by Onana

Bayern Munich (Champions League, 20th September 2023): In a crucial match against Bayern Munich, Onana's failure to save a weak shot by Leroy Sane set the tone for United's poor performance. His mistake in the 28th minute led to losing control of the game, contributing to United's 4-3 defeat.

Manchester United's Goalkeeping Woes: Is Onana the problem?
Onana Manchester United's Goalkeeping Woes: Is Onana the problem?

Galatasaray (Champions League, 3rd October 2023): Onana's mistake in the match against Galatasaray was a turning point.

His poor pass to Casemiro resulted in a red card for the midfielder and a penalty, which, although missed by Mauro Icardi, later led to Galatasaray's victory.

Brentford (Premier League, 7th October 2023): Against Brentford, Onana's error in allowing a tame shot by Mathias Jensen to slip under him resulted in Brentford leading 1-0. Scott McTominay rescued United with two late goals, turning the match around for a 2-1 victory.

Galatasaray (Champions League, 29th November 2023): In a repeat match against Galatasaray, Onana made critical mistakes on free-kicks by Hakim Ziyech. The first was a low shot around the wall, and the second was a curling kick that Onana mishandled, contributing to a 3-3 draw.

Impact on Manchester United and Team Dynamics

Onana's mistakes have led to direct goals against United and have also been detrimental to the team's overall morale and performance. Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has criticized Onana for poor concentration and making the team nervous.

Scholes pointed out that Onana's unconventional saves and relaxed approach, especially in the Champions League, are cause for concern. His errors have invited opponents to adopt a shoot-on-sight policy, exploiting Onana's vulnerability.

Former defender Rio Ferdinand, commenting on Onana's performance, appreciated the goalkeeper's honesty in admitting his mistakes but emphasized the fundamental role of a goalkeeper in making saves.

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana thwarted Liverpool (IMAGO)

Onana's confidence in his feet is acknowledged, but his primary job of preventing goals seems to be questioned, as per Independent UK.

Personal Acknowledgement and Outlook

Andre Onana has admitted to his mistakes, notably acknowledging his poor performance against Bayern Munich. He expressed the need to learn from these errors and emphasized the importance of team unity and hard work in overcoming this challenging period.

The future of Onana at Manchester United remains to be determined, with opinions divided on whether his current form is a temporary lapse or indicative of deeper issues in his goalkeeping skills. The next few matches and his response to these challenges will determine his role and future at Manchester United.

Andre Onana's tenure at Manchester United has been marked by a series of high-profile mistakes that have raised concerns about his performance and impact on the team. While he has shown moments of skill, his errors in crucial matches have led to significant consequences for the team.

His future at the club will likely depend on his ability to learn from these mistakes and demonstrate consistent improvement in his goalkeeping abilities.

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