Onana and Man Utd criticized by the British press

Manchester Evening News handed a damning verdict on Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, rating him a dismal 3 out of 10 for his performance against Nottingham Forest.

“Once again beaten from a corner and completely at fault for a shot from Morgan Gibbs-White. He was rooted to the spot after Chris Wood’s header,” the publication wrote, encapsulating the frustration of United fans who have grown increasingly impatient with the Cameroonian's inconsistency since his arrival in the summer.

The criticism did not end there. The Telegraph also dissected Onana’s performance, particularly focusing on Nottingham Forest’s second goal. “There was a slight swerve on Gibbs-White’s shot, but even with the wind, it should not have been enough to confuse Onana so badly. It was an embarrassing blunder from the goalkeeper, consistent with his struggles during his first six months in Manchester.” The article underlined the pattern of mistakes that have plagued Onana since joining Manchester United, mistakes that have now placed him under intense scrutiny as Erik ten Hag faces mounting questions over his decision to replace long-time stalwart David de Gea with the former Inter Milan shot-stopper.

Sky Sports pundit and former player Jamie Redknapp added to the debate with a scathing analysis of Onana’s fundamental errors. “I’ve never played as a goalkeeper, not even as a joke during training,” Redknapp admitted. “But this is fundamentally poor goalkeeping. You can talk about tactical adjustments all you want, but a goal like that changes everything. It deflates the team, it gives the opposition belief, and it puts the entire game plan at risk. At this level, such mistakes are simply unacceptable.”

However, The Sun went further than most, launching a full-scale attack on the Manchester United goalkeeper and the team’s defensive fragility. “Manager Rúben Amorim stated that his players needed to put in the hard yards and roll up their sleeves if they wanted to be part of the Manchester United revolution, but no amount of effort matters if the defense keeps falling apart like this.” The tabloid left no room for ambiguity, placing Onana squarely at the center of blame.

The Sun’s critique grew sharper as it dissected Onana’s costly errors. “Onana was the main culprit, producing two absolute blunders at the start of the second half. What Man Utd displayed was shocking, but it wasn’t as bad as Onana’s misjudgment on Gibbs-White’s effort. It’s these moments that define matches, and Onana’s inability to handle even moderately difficult shots is becoming a theme that Erik ten Hag cannot ignore.”

Later in the article, The Sun doubled down with an even harsher take: “Not as bad as that misjudgment? It got worse when you looked at the laughable attempt by the goalkeeper as Chris Wood’s header flew past him for Forest’s third goal. If you don’t get it right the first time, just mess it up again and again and again. That’s apparently what the clowns in Manchester United shirts were thinking.” Such language reflects not only the scorn heaped upon Onana but also the growing disillusionment among Manchester United supporters as the club struggles to achieve consistency.

Amidst the intense backlash from the British press, Onana found a rare moment of support on the pitch from Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, who refrained from piling on the criticism. Gibbs-White, the scorer of Forest’s second goal, took a more measured approach in his post-match comments. “I don’t want to discredit him; he’s an incredible keeper,” said the match-winner. “Sometimes things just don’t go your way, but he’s a top player. Everyone knows what he’s capable of.”

Gibbs-White’s statement offered a stark contrast to the narrative being spun by the media, but the reality remains that Onana’s high-profile mistakes are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Since his high-profile transfer to Manchester United, Onana’s tenure has been marked by moments of brilliance overshadowed by costly errors. His role as a goalkeeper in Erik ten Hag’s system which demands composure, distribution, and decisive shot-stopping has brought with it immense pressure, particularly following the departure of David de Gea, whose legacy at Old Trafford looms large.

Onana’s struggles reflect a broader defensive issue at Manchester United. While individual mistakes have grabbed headlines, the team’s collective vulnerability, particularly during set-pieces, has been a recurring problem throughout the season. Questions are being asked about the coaching staff’s ability to address these weaknesses, as well as the mentality of the players tasked with defending key moments.

Erik ten Hag now faces a difficult challenge: to restore confidence in his goalkeeper while simultaneously shoring up United’s defensive frailties. Onana’s mistakes have not only resulted in dropped points but have also created a ripple effect, eroding the team’s composure and resilience. In a season where every match carries weight, such lapses are proving costly.

With further challenging fixtures on the horizon, the spotlight on Onana will only intensify. The goalkeeper, known for his strong character and resilience during his time at Ajax and Inter Milan, must now find a way to rise above the criticism and prove his worth on the pitch. For Manchester United, however, time is running out to resolve their defensive issues if they hope to salvage their season.