On a night when Manchester United secured a hard-fought Europa League victory against Viktoria Plzen, all eyes were on Andre Onana. The Cameroonian goalkeeper’s error in the first half, leading to Matej Vydra’s opener, added fuel to an ongoing debate: Is Onana a liability or an integral piece of Ruben Amorim’s tactical puzzle?
A String of Errors
Onana’s attempt to pass out to Matthijs de Ligt was intercepted by Pavel Sulc, setting up the opener for the Czech side. Although Rasmus Højlund’s brace ensured United’s eventual victory, Onana’s mistake did not go unnoticed. This error came hot on the heels of a poor performance against Nottingham Forest, where he misjudged a shot from Morgan Gibbs-White, allowing the ball to slip past him.
Despite these mishaps, Bruno Fernandes was quick to defend his teammate, emphasizing the squad’s collective mentality. “We have huge belief in him,” Fernandes told TNT Sports. “Mistakes are part of football. He is a clever guy and will help us many times this season.”
The Tactical Dilemma
Amorim’s system of possession-based football demands a goalkeeper adept with the ball at his feet. Onana’s passing ability has been a cornerstone of this approach, but it comes with inherent risks. Critics argue that United’s defensive frailties exacerbate the issue, leaving Onana exposed.
Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves pointed to a lack of cohesion. “De Ligt doesn’t really want the ball in that situation,” he said. “It’s a tough position for a goalkeeper trying to execute Amorim’s vision.” Karen Carney echoed this sentiment, highlighting the breakdown in communication between Lisandro Martinez, Onana, and De Ligt.
Onana vs. De Gea
The shadow of David de Gea looms large over Onana’s tenure. De Gea, now excelling at Fiorentina, boasts a superior save percentage (80% vs. Onana’s 67.1%) and has yet to commit an error leading to a goal this season. However, Onana surpasses his predecessor in passing accuracy and volume, reflecting the stylistic shift United sought under Erik ten Hag and now Amorim.
Onana’s clean sheet tally in the Premier League remains the highest this season, underscoring his ability to deliver solid performances. Yet his high-profile errors have sparked debates about his consistency.
The Road Ahead
With Manchester City looming on Sunday, Onana’s ability to bounce back will be under scrutiny. Amorim’s faith in a possession-based system remains steadfast, but the question persists: Can United’s backline adapt to reduce the goalkeeper’s exposure?
Ultimately, Onana’s future at Old Trafford hinges on balancing his ball-playing prowess with the defensive stability required in high-stakes matches. As Fernandes aptly put it, “Mistakes are part of football,” but how many more can United afford?
Key Stats: Onana vs. De Gea (2024-25)
| Metric | Andre Onana | David de Gea |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Sheets | 7 | 7 |
| Save Percentage | 67.1% | 80.0% |
| Errors Leading to Goals | 2 | 0 |
| Passing Accuracy | 77.3% | 69.3% |
| Passes Attempted | 805 | 365 |
Onana’s journey at Manchester United is far from over. Whether he becomes a cornerstone of Amorim’s vision or a cautionary tale will depend on his ability to learn from these early-season stumbles.
