There will be a lot of pressure on Andre Onana in the Europa League final.
Manchester United take on Tottenham Hotspur in next Wednesday’s final looking to secure a place in the Champions League.
The Red Devils remain the only unbeaten team in the Europa League this season and they now have a chance to win a trophy, despite being destined to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League after a turbulent campaign.
In the latter stages of the Europa League, United have been responsible for eliminating teams such as Real Sociedad, Lyon and Athletic Club.
Although United were more convincing in the ties against Spanish opposition, they made life hard for themselves against Lyon, after Andre Onana committed two howlers against the Ligue 1 side. The Cameroonian goalkeeper dealt with severe backlash for his mistakes and comments around the tie.
Onana cannot afford any errors like that in the final against Tottenham and the pressure is on him after two mixed season between the sticks for United.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Andre Onana showed his best in Champions League final
Andre Onana will play in his third European Cup final on Wednesday night in Bilbao.
The Cameroon international played against United in his first Europa League final in 2017, when he started for Ajax in Stockholm. Jose Mourinho’s United were victorious that night and Onana suffered defeat in the 2023 Champions League final when he played for Inter Milan against Man City.
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Although Inter lost the final, the final will be remembered as one of Onana’s best performances in his career because it was enough to convince United fans that Erik ten Hag was bringing a world class keeper to Old Trafford.
Throughout the game, Onana stepped up and helped Inter build with a back four – him and the back three, which means he was playing in a similar formation that is now being implemented by Ruben Amorim at United.
Onana constantly linked up with his Inter teammates in advanced positions (for a goalkeeper), breaking City’s midfield and forward lines with his passing. He mixed it up with short passes and long passes to Edin Dzeko.
These were positive signs of a goalkeeper who was constantly vocal in communicating with his teammates, showcasing his leadership on the pitch, but we haven’t seen enough of that at United.
Perhaps Onana will come alive in the Europa League final. He must if he wants to win his first European Cup to take United back into the Champions League.
Manchester United eye new goalkeeper
Onana moved to Old Trafford in the summer of 2023 for a fee of £43.8 million, making him one of the most expensive goalkeepers in history.
The 29-year-old has since struggled for form, but Amorim has stood by him as his first choice goalkeeper up until this point.
That could change in the summer, although United do not regard a keeper as a priority target because they have other areas to address first.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Amorim wants a new keeper for his first full season in charge but United have no plans to spend a significant sum on one unless Onana leaves.
The report adds that Onana wants to stay at United, despite recently switching to the LIAN Sports Group agency.
United are scouting for a new keeper amid the likelihood that Altay Bayindir will be sold at the end of the season.
United are prioritising four key signings, involving two attacking additions and a midfielder.
Meanwhile, United’s third-choice keeper Tom Heaton is set to remain at the club for another year.