Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is set to join Trabzonspor on loan after a tough few months at Old Trafford and a former United stopper understands what he;s going through
Andre Onana ahead of Man Utd vs Lyon in 2025
Andre Onana has been criticised for some mistakes during his time at Manchester United
(Image: PA)
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll sympathises with Andre Onana after the Cameroon keeper’s tough time at Old Trafford.
Onana is set to join Trabzonspor on loan after United added a new senior keeper in the form of Senne Lammens.
It comes after some high-profile errors last season cost Ruben Amorim’s side in big games, not least in the Europa League against Lyon.
Carroll didn’t arrive at Old Trafford with the same price tag as Onana but still found things tough.
Most notably, the Northern Irish international was criticised for spilling a Pedro Mendes shot over his own line against Tottenham - even though, in the days before goal-line technology, the officials failed to award a goal.
Spurs players appeal for a goal after a Roy Carroll error in 2005
Roy Carroll's mistake against Spurs in 2005 still gets talked about(Image: Chris Coleman/Manchester United via Getty Images)
"I made a big mistake against Spurs and that is what people talk about," Carroll, now 47, told BBC Sport.
"I take it. I laugh about it. At the time, I wasn't laughing because I was upset, but as you get older you get more relaxed."
The keeper joined United from Wigan two years after the departure of Treble-winning keeper Peter Schmeichel, and was immediately made aware of the increased pressure that comes with playing at Old Trafford.
Roy Carroll playing for Manchester United against Leeds
Carroll playing for United against Leeds(Image: Press Association)
"It's not easy playing for Manchester United at the moment, but it was hard back then because everyone was expecting the new Peter Schmeichel,” said Carroll, who was signed as a backup to Fabien Barthez and played 72 times for the club in four years.
"Even then, if you made a mistake, it was big news,” he added.
“You had to be mentally strong and that is still the case.
"But we are not robots; we are all human beings. It is not so much what you do on the pitch as what you do off it."
Andre Onana during Grimsby Town vs Manchester United
Andre Onana's only United appearance this season came against Grimsby
(Image: Getty Images)
Onana spent last season as United’s first choice but hasn’t featured in the league this term.
Altay Bayindir started each of the first three league games, with Onana’s only outing coming against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup.
Turkish clubs still have time to complete signings despite the English transfer window closing, and the former Inter Milan star is set to join Trabzonspor on loan with no option to buy.
Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.
And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast, featuring The Samuel Luckhurst Show and The Midweek Debate. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.