Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has been questioned by David James (Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Former England stopper David James has called out Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who has struggled to live up to expectations since joining the team last year.
David James believes that since joining Manchester United from Inter Milan, Andre Onana has not been able to provide the team’s play a new dimension.
The 28-year-old Cameroonian goalkeeper signed a £47 million contract with the Red Devils last year, following the decision by Erik ten Hag and the team to part ways with veteran No. 1 David de Gea.
After a few well-publicized missteps, Onana had a difficult first season in the Premier League. However, he has had a great start to the new campaign and saved a penalty in the 3-0 victory over Southampton earlier this month.
However, James hasn’t been won over by him; the former keeper for Manchester City and England has acknowledged that Onana’s efforts at Old Trafford have “frustrated” him.
James stated SafestCasinoSites, “I’m frustrated with what Onana has brought to the club since he joined from Inter Milan.”
“I anticipated that when he joined from Inter, he would drastically alter Manchester United’s style of play. I desired for him to contribute his ball-playing skills and passing range to the team.
“Andre Onana hasn’t been the best version of himself since joining the club, and that’s sad for whatever reason. Because it adds variation to your play, they were looking for a keeper who could pick precise passes over extended distances and had good footwork. We haven’t seen Onana at United do that, but that is what she is capable of.”
James feels Onana has not given United another dimension despite his passing attributes ( Image: Getty Images)
James stated that he doesn’t think Onana is among the top six goalkeepers in the Premier League right now, but he could get there eventually. He then questioned whether or not Ten Hag and United’s coaching staff were partially to blame for Onana’s underwhelming performance.
He continued, saying, “You always glance at the individual first and ask yourself why they’re not doing well. Is Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff the issue? When he pulls on the shirt, it doesn’t make sense that he’s not performing the tasks for which United signed him.
“I consider David Raya’s acquisition by Arsenal. It’s possible to argue that he is reaching his peak at Arsenal since he is beginning to realize the potential the team saw in him when they signed him. For Onana, that is just not the situation at Manchester United.
“Onana isn’t the league’s best goalie. Although I wouldn’t now rank him in the top six, he is more than capable of doing so. I hope he gets better.”
