Andre Onana is not the first player to struggle in the early stages of their career at Manchester United
The role of Manchester United goalkeeper can feel an incredibly lonaely job at times. Gary Neville once claimed it was the most difficult position in football due to the weight of expectation on the shoulders of the man blessed (or burdened) with the responsibility.
Sir Alex Ferguson and David de Gea pictured together in March at Old Trafford
Currently, Andre Onana probably feels like his duty is an unescapable chore. His mistake in the defeat to Bayern Munich could have happened to any goalkeeper across the globe. However, the error was magnified due to who Onana plays for and the games which preceded the untimely misfortune.
Andre Onana showed commendable mental strength when he chose to address his error on national television following Manchester United’s 4-3 Champions League loss. This moment could have been a turning point in his early career at Manchester United. It is worth noting that he is not the first goalkeeper to struggle in the early stages of his career at Manchester United.
While his predecessor’s troubles more recently remain fresh in the memory, David de Gea did not just struggle upon the arrival of Erik ten Hag. Indeed, the opening stages of his Manchester United career were a difficult time for him to negotiate.
Filling in the considerable gap left behind by Edwin van der Sar, De Gea struggled to find his feet at Old Trafford. Eventually his luck started to change though and in April 2012 Sir Alex Ferguson offered this assessment of his goalkeeper.
“He got a grip of the situation,” the legendary Scot explained. “He did not let the mistakes get to him and now he is playing with confidence which is a great factor for any goalkeeper.
“The area where he has been criticised has been in dealing with aerial balls into the box. That last corner kick Blackburn had at Old Trafford, he should have dealt with that better. He knew that at the time and it is a situation he has addressed.
“He stood up to the situation; he knew it was a challenge. It took him time to adjust to the different ways of the English game and it showed. But the other night, he produced one or two terrific punches when Fulham put the ball in the box at the start of the second half. We knew he had the ability and this is what we have seen.”
Onana could do well by adopting this advice in the coming fixtures. The key point which Ferguson made revolved around De Gea’s ability to brush off the mistake and go again. Onana cannot let the error drag him down and limit him through fear of making another.
The worst thing that could happen now is for Onana to retreat into himself meaning United lose the presence he commands. He must follow in the footsteps of De Gea to put his United run back on track.
