The Shaky Debut of Andre Onana
Manchester United’s decision to sign Andre Onana from Inter Milan for £47.2 million has quickly become one of the most scrutinized transfers in recent Premier League history. The Cameroonian goalkeeper, praised for his skills and potential, has instead been a source of frustration and concern, particularly after his glaring errors in the recent match against Ipswich Town. Onana’s barrage of mistakes has led to intense criticism, with former United goalkeeper Ben Foster even suggesting it was one of the biggest transfer blunders in the league’s history.
A Night to Forget: Onana’s Disastrous Performance
On Wednesday, Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim could only watch in disbelief as his team conceded the opening goal in a manner that no one could have anticipated. The sequence began when Patrick Dorgu, under pressure from Jaden Philogene, decided to play the ball back to Onana. Instead of calmly receiving the pass, Onana rushed out of his goal, inadvertently creating space that Philogene exploited to score an almost effortless goal. The Danish wingback, a recent addition to the club, was under unnecessary pressure from Onana, who, as the senior professional, should have been more communicative and composed in the situation.
Mounting Mistakes and Growing Concerns
Onana’s errors did not end there. Ipswich’s second goal was a direct result of another mistake from the Cameroonian goalkeeper. This time, Onana was overly cautious inside the box, allowing Philogene’s seemingly harmless cross to slip past him and into the net. These blunders have cast a shadow over Onana’s performance, raising questions about his readiness for the Premier League. Amorim, when asked about Onana’s form, tried to deflect blame by pointing out that other players have also had their fair share of issues. However, the club’s management is growing increasingly concerned about Onana’s consistency and reliability.
A Critical Analysis: Onana’s Role in the Goals
Ben Foster, a former Manchester United goalkeeper, provided a detailed critique of Onana’s performance on The Cycling GK podcast. He emphasized that in the lead-up to Ipswich’s first goal, Onana should have been the one controlling the situation, communicating with Dorgu, and guiding him to make the right decision. Foster pointed out that Onana’s decision to close the space instead of maintaining his position was a grave error. He further explained that Onana should have made eye contact with Dorgu and used gestures to direct him to roll the ball safely to the side. Foster’s analysis underscores the importance of communication and spatial awareness in goalkeeping, areas where Onana has noticeably faltered.
A Question of Leadership and Communication
One of the most significant issues highlighted by Onana’s performance is his lack of leadership and effective communication. Goalkeepers are often seen as the orchestrators of the defense, responsible for organizing and directing their teammates. Onana’s failure to guide Dorgu and manage the situation demonstrates a critical weakness. As a senior player, Onana should have taken control and provided clear instructions, ensuring that the back pass was handled properly. His indecision and lack of assertiveness have not only resulted in goals conceded but have also undermined the confidence of the team’s defense.
The Future at Manchester United: Options and Uncertainty
The decision to sign Onana was made by former boss Erik ten Hag, who believed that David de Gea was no longer the right fit for the club. However, Onana’s performances have not lived up to the expectations, and the club is now considering their options. Amorim has already identified potential replacements, such as Diogo Costa and Gregor Kobel, indicating that a change in the goalkeeping department could be on the horizon. Whether Onana will be given another chance to prove himself or if he will be replaced in the upcoming summer transfer window remains to be seen. For Manchester United, the immediate priority is to stabilize their defense and ensure that their goalkeeping issues do not continue to haunt the team.
