Andre Onana has found himself at the center of scrutiny after a series of costly mistakes this season, with Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim urging him to move on. As United prepares to take on Fulham in the FA Cup, Amorim insists Onana must not dwell on past errors, including his recent blunder in their 3-2 win over Ipswich, where a mix-up with Patrick Dorgu gifted Jaden Philogene a goal.
Earlier this season, Onana’s struggles were evident in United’s 3-1 home defeat to Brighton, where he misjudged a tame cross and inadvertently pushed it into Georginio Rutter’s path for an easy finish. Despite these costly moments, Amorim believes Onana’s focus should remain on the future rather than letting past performances weigh him down as the team faces a crucial FA Cup fixture.
Amorim acknowledged that while Onana has made vital saves, his performances have been inconsistent, mirroring the team’s overall struggles. He emphasized that the goalkeeper is not alone in making mistakes, as several United players have faced similar issues throughout the season, highlighting a broader problem within the squad.
In response to Onana’s latest error against Ipswich, Amorim defended the shot-stopper, explaining that he had anticipated a deflection from Liam Delap, which never came. The United boss insisted that such misjudgments are part of the game and called for unwavering support from both fans and teammates, reinforcing the importance of moving forward rather than fixating on past failures.
However, not everyone has been as supportive. Former United goalkeeper Ben Foster was particularly harsh in his assessment, branding Onana “one of the biggest transfer mistakes in Premier League history.” The Cameroonian was brought in from Inter Milan for £47.2m in the summer of 2023, meant to be a long-term replacement for David de Gea, but Foster believes the move has backfired.
Adding to the criticism, ex-United striker Louis Saha called Onana’s performances “unacceptable,” particularly after his blunder against Brighton. Saha stressed that no player should have a guaranteed starting spot unless they consistently prove their worth, implying that Onana should face competition for his role to push him to improve.
As questions continue to swirl around Onana’s suitability as United’s first-choice goalkeeper, Amorim remains firm in his belief that the focus should be on improving rather than dwelling on past mistakes. He stands by his keeper, urging the team to maintain a positive outlook despite mounting criticism.
With an FA Cup clash against Fulham fast approaching, all eyes will be on Onana to see if he can rise to the occasion. The pressure is mounting, and his response in this fixture could shape his future at Manchester United as he looks to silence his doubters once and for all.