André Onana's Struggles at Manchester United: A Costly Loss Against Brighton.
André Onana's time at Manchester United has been far from the smooth transition many had hoped for. The 2023 summer signing, widely regarded for his technical prowess and leadership, has faced significant challenges in adapting to life at Old Trafford. After a high-profile move from Inter Milan, Onana was expected to be the answer to Manchester United's goalkeeping problems, bringing both shot-stopping ability and the skill to play out from the back. However, a series of costly mistakes culminated in today’s disappointing 3-1 loss to Brighton, leaving questions over his future at the club.
The High Expectations
When Manchester United signed Onana for a reported £47 million, the expectation was that he would elevate the team’s performances both in the Premier League and in Europe. Known for his time at Ajax and Inter Milan, where he demonstrated solid shot-stopping and outstanding distribution, Onana was touted as the ideal fit for Erik ten Hag's system. Ten Hag, who had worked with Onana previously at Ajax, was eager to have a goalkeeper who could play from the back and help build attacks with calmness and precision.
However, despite flashes of his talent, Onana’s performances in a United shirt have been far from consistent. And with United’s recent loss to Brighton, Onana’s costly errors have come under the spotlight once again, causing concern among fans and analysts alike.
A Day to Forget: Errors That Cost United
In today’s 3-1 defeat to Brighton, André Onana was at the centre of the drama. His mistakes directly contributed to two of Brighton's three goals, leaving Manchester United with another defeat at home.
The first error came in the 20th minute, when Onana failed to properly judge a simple pass back from his defender. Under little pressure, he miscontrolled the ball, allowing Brighton's forward to pounce on the mistake and score. This was a glaring issue with Onana's usually reliable feet, and it put United on the back foot early in the match.
Later in the game, Onana was caught out of position when Brighton capitalised on a quick counter-attack. Despite having time to get back into position, Onana's decision-making was slow, and he failed to anticipate the path of the ball, which found the back of the net for Brighton’s second goal.
Although Onana did make a couple of routine saves during the match, the critical errors overshadowed any positives. These kinds of mistakes have plagued his performances throughout the season, leading to questions about his ability to perform under the pressure of the Premier League.
A Series of Costly Mistakes
This defeat to Brighton marks the latest in a string of high-profile errors from Onana, which have led to mounting frustration among Manchester United supporters. It is becoming increasingly clear that Onana is struggling to adapt to the level of scrutiny that comes with playing for a club like Manchester United.
Earlier in the season, Onana was at fault for conceding a weak goal against Wolves in the opening match of the campaign, when he failed to react quickly enough to a deflected shot. In addition, his distribution, which was one of his selling points, has not been as sharp as expected. On several occasions, Onana has misjudged passes, leading to dangerous turnovers in his own half. His distribution, which was so crucial for United’s build-up play, has often been erratic, causing unnecessary pressure on the team’s defence.
While his shot-stopping abilities remain solid, Onana has not delivered consistently in key moments, and his overall performance has not met the high standards set for a player of his calibre. These errors have resulted in costly points dropped for United, as they have struggled to build any momentum this season.
Comparisons to David de Gea
The comparison to David de Gea, the long-time goalkeeper who departed the club in 2023, is inevitable. De Gea, while criticised for his inability to play out from the back, was one of the Premier League's best shot-stoppers during his time at United. He was able to bail out the team on numerous occasions with his reflex saves, despite his limitations in other areas.
Onana, on the other hand, was brought in to address those very limitations, with his superior ability to distribute the ball and play as a ‘sweeper-keeper.’ However, his errors have exposed a different issue: the pressure of playing at a club with the lofty expectations of Manchester United. While Onana’s distribution remains a positive aspect of his game, his inconsistency in other areas, particularly in terms of decision-making and concentration, has raised doubts about his ability to replace a player of de Gea's stature.
The Road Ahead: Does Onana Have a Future at United?
With Manchester United’s recent form, particularly in today’s loss to Brighton, Onana’s position in the starting XI has come under scrutiny. Erik ten Hag has repeatedly backed his goalkeeper, but the mistakes are mounting, and there is growing concern that Onana’s performances could jeopardise United’s ambitions this season.
The question on everyone's mind is whether Onana will be able to bounce back and prove his worth, or if his time at Manchester United will be marked by inconsistency and errors. In a high-pressure environment like United, where the stakes are always high, Onana’s ability to learn from his mistakes and regain his confidence will be crucial.
The club may have to make some tough decisions moving forward. While Onana’s technical abilities and potential are still clear, there may come a point where his mistakes become too costly for Manchester United to ignore. The team needs a goalkeeper who can provide stability at the back, not one who regularly contributes to the team’s downfall with poor decision-making.
Today’s 3-1 loss to Brighton has been another tough blow for both André Onana and Manchester United. The goalkeeper’s errors in the game, combined with his struggles throughout the season, have led to growing frustration among supporters. Despite his undeniable talent, Onana’s inconsistency in key moments has put his future at the club in jeopardy.
Manchester United, a club with high ambitions for the Premier League and European success, needs a goalkeeper who can deliver when it matters most. Onana has the potential to be that player, but whether he can overcome his current struggles and live up to expectations remains to be seen. For now, the pressure is on him to regain his form and prove that he can be the goalkeeper Manchester United thought they were signing.
