Table of Contents
- Andre Onana criticism as the worst goalkeeper in the history of Manchester United is damaging
- Onana, 29, is open to playing in Saudi Arabia, although no deal has been reached yet
- United could sell him at the end of the season
Andre Onana criticism as the worst goalkeeper in the history of Manchester United has negatively affected him, Mitchell van der Gaag, United’s ex-assistant coach, says.
The Cameroon international hasn’t had it easy at Old Trafford since the season began. It’s even harder for him under Portuguese football manager Ruben Amorim.
United has failed to live up to the expectations fans had when former manager Erik ten Hag was axed to give Amorim a chance to transform the team.
The club hired Amorim while he was managing Sporting Lisbon in Portugal, hoping for better results. However, this is yet to happen, and the Cameroonian skipper is carrying the weight of it all.
All About Andre Onana Criticism
A flurry of ill statements by football pundits is the source of Andre Onana criticism. One of them is Nemanja Matic, a former Manchester United midfielder.
Matic described Onana as the worst goalkeeper the Red Devils ever had. Many other critics built on his statement, throwing all manner of hurtful comments at Onana.
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana. Photo/Eurosport
Amorim made it worse when he pulled him out of the Newcastle game in April. He replaced him with Altay Bayindir but that didn’t stop a 4-1 loss at St James’ Park.
Onana earned the removal from this match following two blunders in the Europa League that Utd paid for dearly.
Van der Gaag, having worked with Onana at Ajax and United said his role as a goalkeeper bears too much pressure, which is wearing down the Cameroonian skipper.
He described Onana’s situation as an ‘emotional rollercoaster,’ adding that he is convinced Onana is a great goalkeeper.
Still, poor results in the 2024/25 season continue to fuel Andre Onana criticism at home and away.
The ex-United assistant coach noted that excellence is always expected in football, but there are challenges players go through as human beings.
This, he said, is the law of nature, adding that critics should not be too hard on Onana because he has done his best.
Gaag said part of the pressure Onana is bearing is a change by his supporters who praised him at the start of the season but turned against him later.
Will Andre Onana Leave Manchester United?
Talk in football circles suggests that Onana could leave Old Trafford at the end of this season. Amorim has expressed interest in Serbian goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic currently playing for Torino in Serie A.
Urbano Cairo, Torino President, in response to United’s interest in Savic, said that no offer has been presented to the club yet.
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana. Photo/SkySports
He indirectly seemed to agree to the decision to sell Savic if a good deal was presented to the team. Despite Andre Onana criticism, he has a five-year contract with Manchester United.
His contract is set to end in 2028, but the Red Devils are ready to sell him ahead of the next season. He replaced David de Gea but hasn’t lived up to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s expectations this season.
His numerous mistakes are partly to blame for United’s 14th position in the Premier League.
Foot Mercato reports that the Saudi Arabian second-tier club Neom SC has expressed interest in buying the Cameroonian star.
Onana, 29, is open to playing in Saudi Arabia, although no deal has been reached yet. Neom SC is only two years old and is working on playing in the Saudi Pro League.
They believe Onana would be an integral part of this journey.
