A Manchester United Legend Expresses Surprise at Andre Onana’s Tough Season
Edwin van der Sar, one of Manchester United’s greatest-ever goalkeepers, has opened up about Andre Onana’s difficult season at Old Trafford, and honestly, he didn’t hold back. Van der Sar has known Onana for years, going back to their Ajax days, and while he still believes in the Cameroonian’s potential, he’s just as surprised as many fans by how much he’s struggled lately.
Onana, who cost United a hefty AU$86 million after arriving from Inter Milan, has had a rollercoaster of a season. His worst moment? Probably the Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon, where he let in four poor goals. Somehow, United still scraped through with a 7-6 aggregate win, but the damage to Onana’s reputation was already done. That performance came on the back of public drama with Lyon and former teammate Nemanja Matic—and it wasn’t the first time he’d been under fire this season.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Statistically, Onana’s not having the kind of impact United were hoping for. He’s made more errors leading to goals than any other Premier League goalkeeper this season. Even though he shows brilliance with the ball at his feet, he’s only ranked 10th for both save percentage and passing accuracy—pretty underwhelming for such a big-money signing.
Van der Sar Still Believes in Onana
Despite all that, Van der Sar isn’t giving up on him. Speaking on Optus Sport with Mark Schwarzer, the Dutch legend shared that he’s shocked by Onana’s form this season. “He has tremendous qualities,” Van der Sar said. “Quick, strong, mentally tough so it’s a bit surprising to see how this year has gone.”
He admitted Onana’s had too many ups and downs, with mistakes that simply need to stop. But he also praised his resilience, especially how he bounced back with a strong showing after that nightmare against Lyon.
Dealing With Pressure in the Digital Age
Van der Sar knows how brutal the pressure can be especially in the social media era where criticism comes from all sides. But he’s convinced that Onana’s mindset is strong enough to push through the noise and come out better. “Your mental strength is always tested,” he said, “but I believe he’ll pull through, especially with the support of those around him.”
So while it’s been far from a perfect season for Onana, he still has some big names in his corner—and that could make all the difference.
