January 18th 2024.
Manchester United's goalkeeper Andre Onana has had a rough start at the club, but his struggles have not gone unnoticed. United legend Peter Schmeichel has come to his defense, passionately stating that Onana's difficulties are a result of the team's overall confusion.
Onana, who is 27 years old, joined United last summer for a hefty fee of £44 million. He was brought in to fill the shoes of David de Gea, who had been a key player for United for 12 years and had won numerous trophies, including four player of the year awards.
Having previously played for Inter Milan, Onana arrived at United with high expectations after an impressive performance in the 2022/23 Champions League final, where his team was ultimately defeated by Manchester City.
However, his time at United has not been as convincing as expected, with a series of costly mistakes and the team currently sitting in seventh place in the Premier League and eliminated from the Champions League group stage.
Schmeichel believes that Onana's struggles are a reflection of the team's overall weaknesses, as their style of play under manager Erik ten Hag has not been consistent enough to allow Onana to shine.
The legendary former United goalkeeper stated, "I think it would be difficult for anyone coming in goal for Manchester United. Why do you bring Andre Onana in? Well, his ability with his feet is incredible. We saw that with Inter Milan last season, but that team was well-drilled and had a clear system. At United, there is a lot of confusion. Is the team supposed to play out from the back every time? Are the players good enough to do so? Is the system well-drilled enough? I don't think it is."
Schmeichel also pointed out that injuries to key defenders have added to the team's struggles, making it even more difficult for Onana to perform at his best.
Currently away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, Onana has received criticism for his performances at United. However, Schmeichel sympathizes with him, saying, "The goalkeeper is still a part of the team, so whatever happens in the team will have a reflection on the goalkeeper's performance. Yes, it's a different position, but if the team is not working, then the goalkeeper won't work."
The United legend also praised Onana for taking responsibility for his mistakes, even going as far as apologizing to the media after a costly error in a match against Bayern Munich. Schmeichel revealed that he had spoken to Onana after the game and offered some advice, saying, "Playing for this football club requires something. I've seen you at Inter and I know you have it, so don't take anything that you are reading over the next couple of days for anything other than what happens."
Schmeichel also emphasized the importance of an ability to bounce back from mistakes, stating, "The art of being a goalkeeper for Manchester United is that we all make mistakes. We've all made mistakes, but the art is that the next second it's forgotten about. You simply take the mistake and put it away, move on to the next moment."
The former United goalkeeper also revealed a conversation he had with Onana after a game against Galatasaray, where Onana's mistake led to a red card for a teammate. Schmeichel stated that Onana was feeling "insecure" and that he had advised him to relax and focus on improving.
In conclusion, Schmeichel believes that Onana will not be satisfied with his start at United, but his struggles must be understood in the context of the team's overall performance. He said, "We've signed him because we know he can do better, and I hope he will. But I'm not going to put all the responsibility on his shoulders because the team hasn't functioned well and there are a lot of things that haven't been great there."
He also acknowledged the added pressure of social media in today's world, making it even more difficult for players to deal with criticism. In the end, Schmeichel hopes that Onana will be able to overcome his struggles and fulfill his potential at Manchester United.
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