Manchester United’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana, is once again in the spotlight after a costly mistake led to Ipswich Town taking an early lead in their Premier League match on Wednesday. Despite United’s comeback, which saw them win 3-2 even with 10 men, Onana’s blunder has reignited the debate surrounding his future at Old Trafford.
Onana, who joined Manchester United in the summer of 2023 for £47 million from Inter Milan as a replacement for David de Gea, had shown promise earlier this season, even leading the Premier League in clean sheets with six. However, his performance against Ipswich highlighted the recurring doubts surrounding the Cameroon international.
A Costly Mistake Early in the Game
Just four minutes into the match against Ipswich, Onana’s decision to rush out of his penalty area resulted in a gift for Jaden Philogene, who scored a simple tap-in. As Patrick Dorgu advanced with the ball, Onana came out of his goal, only to misread the situation, allowing Philogene to capitalize on the error.
Onana’s struggles continued later in the match when he was caught out by a deep cross from Liam Delap, which resulted in another goal for Philogene. This performance brought immediate criticism from football pundits and former players.
Robbie Savage, speaking on TNT Sports, questioned Onana’s decision to rush out for the first goal: “I’ve got no idea why Onana is running out to that position. Dorgu has it under control, no problem at all. He shouldn’t come there.” Rio Ferdinand echoed similar concerns, stating, “Onana doesn’t need to come. The full-back is in complete control.”
Persistent Criticism and Growing Concerns
Onana’s performance has been under the microscope since he joined United. Despite some strong performances earlier in the season, including a solid clean sheet record, his inconsistent displays continue to draw attention. Earlier errors, such as those against Viktoria Plzen, Brighton, and Nottingham Forest, added to the growing concerns about his ability to handle the pressures of the Premier League. His error in United’s 1-0 defeat to Tottenham, where he mishandled a shot from Lucas Bergvall leading to James Maddison’s goal, further fueled doubts.
Onana’s backup, Altay Bayindir, who joined from Turkey in September 2023, has yet to start a Premier League match, which raises questions about the club’s decision-making. With the goalkeeper position in flux, many wonder if the club made the right call in letting De Gea, Dean Henderson, and Matej Kovar leave, especially considering De Gea’s superior shot-save statistics compared to Onana.
Comparing Onana with De Gea
While De Gea, who now plays for Fiorentina, has had a successful career at United, Onana’s statistics reveal some concerning trends. De Gea boasts a higher shot save percentage (72%) compared to Onana’s 65%. Additionally, De Gea has yet to make any direct errors leading to goals, while Onana has been responsible for three such mistakes this season.
However, it’s important to note that Onana has faced more shots (111) compared to De Gea’s 90 and has had to adapt to changes in United’s formation under manager Ruben Amorim. The frequent tactical changes and defensive instability at United have made Onana’s job more difficult, but the mistakes remain a point of contention.
The Need for Improvement
Despite his recent mistakes, Onana has made some crucial saves this season, showing glimpses of his talent. Yet, United’s poor form, sitting at 14th in the Premier League, contrasts with the success of De Gea’s new club, Fiorentina, which is currently vying for a Champions League spot.
Onana was brought in to improve United’s possession-based play, but a surprising stat shows that his passing accuracy is nearly identical to De Gea’s, despite being known for his distribution. Onana’s pass completion rate stands at 72%, slightly ahead of De Gea’s final season at United, but both figures suggest that Onana has room for improvement in this area.
The Pressure on Onana’s Future at Manchester United
Former United goalkeeper Massimo Taibi, who famously struggled at Old Trafford, believes Onana may be running out of time. “When a marriage is showing cracks, it’s pointless to continue,” Taibi said in December. “If things don’t change by June, [Onana] should move on.”
Onana now faces increasing scrutiny with the pressure mounting on his future at Manchester United. His latest error against Ipswich could prove to be a tipping point, and he may soon face an uncertain future at the club. With the Premier League season still ongoing, only time will tell whether Onana can regain the trust of the fans and secure his place at Old Trafford.
