Andre Onana has been given a “job is not for you” warning at Manchester United, with “pressure” advice handed out to the Red Devils goalkeeper.
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Snapped up from Inter in 2023Made costly mistakes early onWorking on winning over doubtersGetty/GOALWHAT HAPPENED?
The Cameroon international became a £48 million ($63m) addition at Old Trafford during the summer of 2023. The former Ajax and Inter star was acquired to take over between the sticks from four-time United Player of the Year David de Gea.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Onana found the going tough early on, with individual errors leading to avoidable goals and uncomfortable questions from a demanding fan base. The 28-year-old looked more assured as his debut campaign wore on – becoming an FA Cup winner – but is yet to convince everybody.
GettyWHAT LINDEGAARD SAID
Anders Lindegaard knows all about the challenge of filling United’s No.1 spot – taking in 29 appearances for the Premier League giants between 2010 and 2015 – and he has said in of efforts to find a reliable keeper in the present: “Onana has come back from a difficult start and now he is doing a lot better. But there's no magic formula to overcome that pressure. That is the job. The job is to handle that pressure. If you can't do it, or you won't do it, the job is not for you.”
WHAT NEXT?
Confidence is not a quality that Onana lacks, with enough belief retained in his own ability to suggest that he can win over any doubters. He does, however, need no reminding of the demands being placed on him as Erik ten Hag’s side continue to struggle for consistency as a collective.