An ex-Chelsea player has launched a defence of one of Manchester United’s most criticised players since Ruben Amorim took charge.
Manchester United had a very difficult season last term, with a 15th-place finish in the Premier League. It was the worst campaign in recent memory.
While the attack felt like it was constantly misfiring, Ruben Amorim’s defence didn’t perform much better, and that was underlined by André Onana’s struggles.
Onana started the season well but his form fell off massively and he made some high-profile mistakes in between the sticks, which has led to many supporters questioning his future at Old Trafford.
It remains to be seen whether the Cameroon international, described as ‘awful’ by some fans, will stay or go this summer, but one ex-goalkeeper is backing him to succeed.
Begovic launches defence of Onana
Former Chelsea shot-stopper Asmir Begovic has come to the defence of Onana and explained the pressure that comes with playing for a club like United.
Despite this, he feels like the criticisms of Onana are ‘over dramatised’ and that he will go to ‘another level’ under Amorim next season.
“The unfortunate reality of being a goalkeeper is the scrutiny and the pressure that comes with it, you elevate that by being at Manchester United, arguably the biggest club in the world,” Begovic told Fruity King.
“Of course that pressure and that scrutiny just ramps up even more, so all the criticism because of where he plays and circumstances it’s all been over dramatised. I think there’s obviously been situations where he can do a little bit better, there’s no doubt about that.
“But I think overall, Andre Onana has been pretty steady because it’s never easy. It does take a little bit of time to transition to the Premier League, but going into his third year I think he can go to another level.”
Onana will get the chance to turn things around
It is starting to feel like Onana will at least get the opportunity to try and prove Begovic correct, with a move for the goalkeeper unlikely this summer.
The main thing he needs to focus on is not being in the limelight, while also trying to offer the things which United fans thought he’d be able to bring when he arrived two years ago.
Onana will never be the best shot-stopper in the world, but his ball-playing and sweeping were made out to be key assets in his game before he joined the club.
We still haven’t seen nearly enough of those attributes being used at Old Trafford, and that is something that needs to change if wants to go on and actually succeed at the club.
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