Andre Onana during Man Utd's match against Leicester at Old Trafford, Manchester, UK, 10/11/2024. Photo: Reuters

Andre Onana during Man Utd's match against Leicester at Old Trafford, Manchester, UK, 10/11/2024. Photo: Reuters

Man Utd spent approximately 60 million USD to bring Onana from Inter Milan to guard their goal, after more than a decade with Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea. This marked a strategic shift from a reflex-based goalkeeper to a modern, ball-playing style, comfortable participating in build-up play from the back. Onana was expected to be the "playmaking goalkeeper," the foundation for manager Erik ten Hag's system at the time.

However, theory quickly clashed with reality. At Ajax and Inter, Onana thrived within a clear structure. He benefited from a solid defense, midfield control, and teammates comfortable possessing the ball under pressure. In that environment, his long passing, distribution, and advanced positioning became powerful weapons.

At Old Trafford, that stability never materialized. The defense suffered constant injuries, the midfield lacked control, and the attack pressed inconsistently. This chaos exposed Onana's limitations. He wasn't a goalkeeper who adapted well to disorder; he needed rhythm and certainty to excel.

Warning signs appeared early. In a friendly against Lens, Onana was chipped while positioned more than 30 m upfield, turning his once-lauded bravery at Ajax into a farce. In his Premier League debut against Wolves, he committed a foul while challenging Sasa Kalajdzic for an aerial ball, an incident that should have resulted in a penalty. In the Champions League, a simple shot from Leroy Sane slipped through his hands, forcing a public apology after the 3-4 loss to Bayern Munich.

The nadir arrived during a Champions League away match at Galatasaray, where Onana made a series of errors, including a poor clearance, an errant pass, and conceding soft goals. That match exposed his fragility under pressure.

Onana did experience a period of recovery. After the Istanbul debacle, he performed more reliably for much of 2024, making key saves and initiating attacks effectively. But the consistency didn't last. Within months, minor errors returned, accumulating into doubt. By the end of the year, every opponent counterattack left Man Utd fans anxious, fearing another goalkeeping blunder.

Goalkeeper Andre Onana celebrates Man Utd's second goal in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Lyon at Groupama Stadium, Lyon, France, on the evening of 10/4/2025. Photo: Reuters

Goalkeeper Andre Onana celebrates Man Utd's second goal in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Lyon at Groupama Stadium, Lyon, France, on the evening of 10/4/2025. Photo: Reuters

Off-field issues exacerbated the situation. In 4/2025, Onana clashed verbally with former player Nemanja Matic, who publicly defended De Gea. The 29-year-old goalkeeper was labeled "one of the worst in Man Utd's history" by the Serbian midfielder. This echoed the 2022 World Cup incident, when Onana's disagreement with manager Rigobert Song led to his departure from the Cameroon squad mid-tournament. Both incidents revealed a strong personality willing to defend his views, but also prone to confrontation and isolation.

In 4/2025, Onana made a direct error in the 2-2 draw against Lyon in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final, just a day after Matic's comments. Many fans considered this the final straw. Previous mistakes were excused due to his need for adaptation, but this time, sympathy had run out.

Upon returning for pre-season training in the summer of 2025, Onana further lost ground. His request for a contract extension despite poor form caused internal friction. He also suffered from injuries and lacked match fitness. For a goalkeeper who relied on confidence and stability, these factors shattered any remaining belief.

Even his signature wide-stance technique backfired. Intended to facilitate quick reactions to low shots, it became a burden when his sharpness waned. Hesitant movements slowed his reflexes, leading to simple goals conceded.

A final error against Grimsby Town in the League Cup virtually ended Onana's chances. He allowed Charles Vernam's shot to sneak through a narrow gap at the near post, a basic error for any goalkeeper. This incident proved to be the breaking point, potentially marking Onana's last match for the club.

Ultimately, Man Utd had to act. They brought in Senne Lammens as a replacement, while Onana moved to Trabzonspor on loan.

Two years ago, not renewing De Gea's contract and signing Onana seemed like a sensible decision for Man Utd. Now, "Red Devils" fans are backing Lammens and celebrating Onana's departure to Turkey. However, if Onana shines at Trabzonspor and Lammens disappoints this season, few would be surprised.

Xuan Binh (via Athletic)