Onana’s Struggles and Future at Manchester United: What’s Next for the Goalkeeper?

Onana, who was brought in as a key signing for Manchester United, has faced increasing scrutiny following a series of glaring errors in both the Premier League and Champions League. His performances last season, particularly in Europe, were a contributing factor to the team’s early exit from the Champions League group stages. As his form continues to fluctuate, questions are being raised about his future at Old Trafford. Could his time at United be coming to an end after just two seasons?

Onana’s Glaring Mistakes and Questionable Performances

When Onana joined Manchester United, he was expected to bring stability and skill to the team’s defensive setup. However, his performance in the Champions League last term has been far from impressive. His mistakes in key moments, such as poor decisions in goal and faulty clearances, were one of the reasons United found themselves out of the competition early.

Notably, Onana made a number of errors in crucial matches this season as well. His blunders in the games against teams like Viktoria Plzen, Brighton, and Nottingham Forest all raised concerns. But it was his performance in the 1-0 defeat against Tottenham that truly amplified the questions surrounding his place in the squad. In that match, he pushed a weak shot from Lucas Bergvall directly into the path of James Maddison, who scored the only goal of the match. This mistake, among others, has intensified the spotlight on Onana, prompting discussions about his ability to handle the pressure of playing in the Premier League.

His performance in the match against Tottenham was particularly under scrutiny, and many fans and pundits alike began to question if he was living up to the hype of being a top-tier goalkeeper. The criticism became louder as Onana continued to make mistakes in subsequent matches, highlighting his inability to produce consistently strong performances at such a high level.

The Arrival of Altay Bayindir: A Potential Solution?

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While Onana‘s form has been underwhelming, his backup, Altay Bayindir, who arrived from Turkey in September 2023, has barely featured for United. Bayindir has made only seven appearances since joining, and none of those have been in the Premier League. His lack of involvement in crucial league matches has led many to question the club’s decision to keep Onana as their first-choice goalkeeper despite his inconsistency.

Given Onana‘s mistakes, the lack of game time for Bayindir raises eyebrows. If the Turkish goalkeeper is deemed capable of stepping in, why hasn’t he been given a chance? Could the reluctance to utilize Bayindir signal a lack of faith in his ability or simply a belief that Onana is still the right man for the job, despite his issues?

The De Gea Comparison: Has United Made a Mistake?

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The decision to move on from David de Gea, who was once Manchester United’s number-one keeper for over a decade, continues to be a talking point. De Gea, who was eventually replaced by Onana, is currently playing for Fiorentina in Serie A and is enjoying a stronger run of form than his former United counterpart.

Looking at the numbers, it’s clear that Onana‘s performances have not been as impressive as De Gea’s. For example, De Gea has maintained a better shot-save percentage (72%) compared to Onana’s 65%. Additionally, Onana has made three major errors that led directly to goals, while De Gea has yet to make such blunders. These statistics highlight that Onana has struggled to match the consistency of his predecessor, despite coming with a strong reputation from his time at Inter Milan.

Furthermore, De Gea has faced fewer shots than Onana, which may be part of the reason for his better statistics. Nonetheless, Onana‘s struggles in key moments have become an issue for Manchester United, especially considering the decision to let De Gea go.

The question remains: Was it the right decision to part ways with De Gea, who had a proven track record at the club, in favor of Onana, whose errors continue to cost United valuable points?

The Impact of Manager Ruben Amorim’s Tactics on Onana’s Form

While Onana has faced criticism for his individual errors, it’s also important to consider the team dynamics and tactical decisions that may be contributing to his struggles. Under new manager Ruben Amorim, United has switched to a 3-4-3 formation from the previous 4-3-3. This tactical change may have placed extra pressure on Onana, as the defensive structure of the team is still adjusting to the new system.

Additionally, Amorim has yet to name an unchanged starting XI in the 23 matches he has managed, frequently substituting one of the three central defenders. This lack of consistency in the defensive setup could be hindering Onana‘s ability to build a solid relationship with the defenders in front of him. When a goalkeeper lacks a settled and cohesive defensive unit, it can lead to a rise in mistakes and miscommunication, and this seems to be the case with Onana at United.

Moreover, the static defending in front of Onana has contributed to his vulnerabilities. When defenders fail to track attackers effectively, it leaves the goalkeeper exposed to more shots, many of which may be difficult to stop. Thus, while Onana‘s errors have been costly, it’s important to take into account the overall defensive structure of the team and the changing tactics under Amorim.

Onana’s Strengths: Crucial Saves Despite the Struggles

Despite his mistakes, Onana has shown glimpses of why he was brought to United in the first place. At times, he has made crucial saves, keeping his team in games. For instance, in matches where United has been under pressure, Onana has been able to deny the opposition with reflex saves or vital blocks. These moments highlight that Onana still possesses the ability to make game-changing contributions when needed.

The challenge for Onana moving forward will be to find consistency in his performances. If he can reduce the number of errors and build on his positive contributions, he may still prove to be a key player for United in the long run.

The Bigger Picture: United’s Struggles and Onana’s Future

In the bigger picture, Manchester United’s overall performance this season has been below expectations. Sitting in 14th place in the Premier League, their struggles have not just been a result of Onana’s errors but a combination of issues both defensively and offensively. The team has failed to meet the standards set in previous seasons, and the pressure on players like Onana is mounting.

With Onana‘s future at United in question, much depends on how he reacts to this difficult period. Will he be able to turn things around and become the dependable goalkeeper United thought they were getting, or will he continue to struggle with mistakes that jeopardize the team’s success?

What’s Next for Onana?

As the season progresses, Onana will need to prove his worth if he wants to remain at Manchester United beyond this season. His next performances will be crucial in determining whether he can regain the confidence of his manager, teammates, and fans. If Onana fails to improve his form, the club may be forced to consider alternative options in goal.

With his backup, Bayindir, still not receiving regular game time, the decision to either persist with Onana or make a change will be a pivotal one for United. The club will need to assess whether the current keeper can turn his form around or if they need to find a new solution between the sticks.

In conclusion, Onana‘s time at Manchester United is far from certain. His inconsistency and mistakes have placed him under intense scrutiny, and with his backup goalkeeper yet to feature prominently, the club’s decision to stick with Onana could soon be questioned even further. How Onana handles the pressure in the coming months will likely determine if he stays at Old Trafford for the long term or is moved on after just two seasons.