Andre Onana was dropped by Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim for the team’s trip to Newcastle on Sunday after coming under fire for a succession of mistakes, including being at fault for both goals against Lyon
Manchester United goalkeeping legend Edwin van der Sar has defended Andre Onana amid his poor form and believes he has the right “attitude” to bounce back from his run of mistakes – but Peter Schmeichel insists he should be doing better
Onana is facing rising pressure after making a serious of individual errors in goal for United and Ruben Amorim opted to drop him for their trip to Newcastle on Sunday in favour of Altay Bayindir. The Cameroonian – who cost United £47million from Inter Milan in 2023 – was at fault for both goals in the team’s 2-2 draw at Lyon in the Europa League quarter-final on Thursday, including a stoppage time clanger where he fumbled a shot that Rayan Cherki slotted home from the rebound.
Onana has been the subject of rumours he could leave Old Trafford this summer after making three errors leading to a goal in the Premier League this term and a handful more in Europe.
But despite Onana being under fire, legendary ex-United shot stopper Van der Sar has remained upbeat on his future and insisted earlier this year that he had a big career ahead of him still.
READ MORE: Andre Onana DROPPED for Man Utd’s trip to Newcastle after Lyon horror showREAD MORE: Ruben Amorim breaks silence on dropping Andre Onana and big Man Utd change
“I think that it’s quite early but Andre [Onana] has a fantastic career in front of him,” he said in January. “He’s gaining more experience. “He has all the qualities that a goalkeeper needs so I’m sure for the next five to six years he will keep improving. He has the right attitude to be the goalkeeper for Man United for a very long time.
“Manchester United need consistent performances. This year getting back into the Champions League is probably not going to happen – the top four is too far away with too many teams in front.
“With a good pre-season and one or two quality signings up front and maybe in midfield, United should be fine to challenge for those positions again. In terms of signings, nowadays they have good people on board, technical people. I’m sure they are qualified to get the right people in the door.”
Meanwhile, another goalkeeping legend in Schmeichel was less patient about Onana in the wake of the Lyon game and was left conflicted over the goalkepeer’s inconsistent displays – admitting he should have done better against the French side.
“It’s a difficult one,” he said. “I’m not going goalkeepers’ union here, but it’s a difficult one because some people are running across you. But I still think he should have dealt with it.
“The second one, again, I felt that he should have kept it. Yeah, it’s a hard shot, but it’s straight at him. Is he the problem? Is the defence the problem? Is the midfield? I think there are so many issues Ruben Amorim needs to sort out. I mean, I would be very uncomfortable with just pointing to one player.”
Amorim insisted his team would take things one game as a time rather than dwelling on Onana’s error. “When one player has a mistake, all the team has a mistake, so we continue like that,” he said.
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