Andre Onana has copped criticism throughout this season and the Manchester United goalkeeper was recently dropped by Ruben Amorim – but has the backing of a former great
Peter Schmeichel insists it would be «very, very wrong» to single out Andre Onana during a season whereby Manchester United have struggled more than ever in the Premier League. Ruben Amorim’s side will post the club’s worst finish for decade come May.
Despite the change in manager United have continued to struggle for results and languish in the bottom half of the table. Onana has been among the players to cop particular criticism with several of his errors proving defining in numerous results.
The Cameroonian has struggled throughout his time in Manchester with plenty questioning his credentials as he remains the team’s No 1. He was signed to replace David de Gea, but since making his debut has put fans on edge.
Schmeichel played in a trophy-laden era at Old Trafford and knows full well how scrutinised the club’s results are. The Dane concedes that an error by a United player is magnified far more than at any other team with Onana having to face the spotlight continuously.
He was quizzed on the goalkeeper’s poor form and told talkSPORT : «It’s been a difficult year, it’s been a difficult year for everyone, so singling out anyone, I think that would be very, very wrong. Just look where Manchester United are in the Premier League. The players are not having the greatest time.
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«I try to explain this to people, why is it different playing for Manchester United as opposed to any other club? I showed this to my wife the other day. We have a broadsheet newspaper in Denmark that doesn’t have a sports section, but they still carry Manchester United’s results and not just a little line but in an article.
«If you’re any other club, or most other clubs, you don’t have that. You don’t have all the fringe, non-sporting papers reporting on your games and that is where the pressure is. Every single thing you do in a game of football will be reported everywhere in the world.
«For instance, as a goalkeeper, if you make a mistake, everybody in the world will be talking about that mistake. If you make a mistake for so many other clubs in the Premier League, they might just be in the newspaper the next day. But you’re not going to talk about it tomorrow or the day after.»
Onana has continued to have the backing of his manager but, after some recent errors in a draw with Lyon, he was dropped for the defeat at Newcastle. He’s since returned to the starting XI but there is talk of United pursuing a new goalkeeper in the summer.
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