Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel says there is a flaw in Andre Onana’s technique which has led to a succession of goalkeeping errors from the club’s No.1.
The Dane says the recent mistakes against Bayern Munich and Brentford were down to Onana failing to set himself properly when making saves:
“My theory here is he’s just lifting up, he’s not setting off, his arm is coming up to go down, whereas as a goalkeeper you learn to dive along around for the ball, you don’t go up to come down.”
“We saw the same mistake against Bayern Munich and I notice the same thing, he just kind of lifts himself instead of actually diving and moving towards the ball. Don’t ask me [why he’s doing it] because I’m not Onana, I don’t know. It’s a technical [issue].”
The pressure of playing for United is getting to Onana
As Onana is making a basic technical error, Schmeichel theorises that the problem is more mental than anything else.
The Dane has revealed he has offered Onana advice on more than one occasion this season, having spoken to him directly after the defeats to Bayern and Galatasaray in the Champions League.
Playing in goal for United is very different to most other clubs, due to the level of scrutiny and the pressure you are put under.
Will ten Hag drop his No.1?
Considering the Red Devils spent £47m to bring in the Cameroon international from Inter Milan this summer, you can’t see manager Erik ten Hag dropping him anytime soon.
Having worked with the 27-year-old at Ajax, it was the United boss who recommended that the club sign the player. It would be admitting an error of judgement if he drops him now. With the number of mistakes Onana has been making, though, it could end up costing the Dutchman his job, but we shall see if the keeper improves after the international break.
