Former Premier League goalkeeper Michel Vorm has given his verdict on Andre Onana at Manchester United after following the fellow stopper throughout his career.
Manchester United lost their 13th game in the Premier League on Tuesday night against Nottingham Forest, and many are trying to point the finger of blame for the team’s shortcomings.
Several members of United’s first-team have been subject to fierce criticism this season. It was the same old story earlier this week when the Reds lost 1-0 against Forest at Old Trafford.
The Reds failed to respond to Anthony Elanga’s fifth-minute opener, with several players at fault for letting the Swedish winger run most of the pitch with the ball at his feet.
Alejandro Garnacho was unable to take Elanga down, while Patrick Dorgu was caught chasing the former United academy graduate before he slotted the ball past Andre Onana.
The defeat means United remain in the bottom half of the table after a turbulent campaign that could still be salvaged if Ruben Amorim’s side go all the way in the Europa League.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Michel Vorm backs Andre Onana
One United star facing criticism this season is first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana.
The Cameroon international came through the La Masia academy at Barcelona before establishing himself at Ajax.
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Onana contract at Ajax expired in 2022 when he joined Inter Milan on a free, just 12 months before United agreed a hefty £47.2 million transfer to sign him.
Despite arriving as David de Gea’s successor, which was a decision enforced by Erik ten Hag, Onana has committed several high-profile errors since arriving at Old Trafford.
However, former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Michel Vorm has been speaking about Onana’s time at United after paying close attention to the Cameroonian since his breakthrough at Ajax.
“I watched Onana when he was playing for Ajax, and so I’ve followed him for quite long, and he has all the attributes to be an amazing goalkeeper,” Vorm told Sports Mole.
“He’s very, very confident, and this is a big strength of him. He’s also – it sounds a bit strange – very confident to make a mistake and just act like, ‘okay, we go on’.
“It sounds a bit strange, but I’ve followed him for a long time. When you make a mistake and you win, it’s also different than when you make a mistake and you lose games. So, his style of play has always been the same.”
Onana’s style of play has been questioned since joining United. The 29-year-old was renowned for his distribution and ball-playing abilities ahead of the transfer, especially after an impressive performance against Man City in the 2023 Champions League final.
Vorm believes Onana has struggled to replicate those standards at United because of the players around him.
“Here in the Premier League, when you are that type of goalkeeper and you play for a club like Man United, sometimes it’s very hard to, especially his style of play, to maintain a certain level, especially where Man United is at the moment.
“There’s not a lot of room for error. This is something I don’t really believe, that he struggles with the pressure of a big club, but this is the way he is as a goalkeeper. There’s always one or two mistakes, but it weighs a bit more heavier at the moment, especially when you play for Man United, than when you play for Ajax or Inter at the time.
“I rate him very much, and his big quality is that he’s so confident in every situation, but it backfires as well in a way, and this is something that’s interesting to see what happens till the end of the season.”
Ruben Amorim urged to stick by Andre Onana
Onana’s inconsistent form has led to speculation that he could leave United in the summer after just two years.
The problem Ineos face sees Amorim eager to improve multiple areas of his team, however, it is understood United need to sell before they can add new recruits to the squad.
When asked if United should stick with Onana and give him another chance, Vorm agreed, saying: “Yeah. The thing is, I think he also showed that he has all the attributes that he’s an amazing goalkeeper, but if the team is struggling, sometimes you also need a little bit different from the goalkeeper.
“If you are in a very comfortable back four or back five – a comfortable team – it reflects on the goalkeeper, and this is at the moment [an uncomfortable defence]. It’s very hard to stand out in a team like Man United, especially as a goalkeeper.”
Only time will tell if Amorim will remain faithful to Onana as his goalkeeper. It doesn’t look like Altay Bayindir will challenge him for his place in the team anytime soon.