The ongoing debate surrounding Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has intensified following comments made by former midfielder Nemanja Matic. Matic, who has since moved on to play for Lyon in the Europa League, called Onana “one of the worst keepers” in the history of Manchester United. His statement has added a layer of tension as both teams gear up for their European quarter-final clash. In a series of remarks aimed at asserting his own position, Onana had suggested that his current squad is “way better” than Lyon. This back-and-forth has drawn significant attention within footballing circles and among fans.
Matic’s criticism of Onana comes with substantial weight, given the illustrious history of goalkeepers at Manchester United, a club that has seen legendary figures such as David de Gea, Edwin van der Sar, and Peter Schmeichel guard their goalposts. The Serbian midfielder made a poignant point about Onana’s record, stating, “If David de Gea, Peter Schmeichel or Edwin van der Sar said that, I would question myself.” Matic went on to argue that if Onana indeed ranks statistically among the worst goalkeepers in the club’s modern history, he should prove his worth before making bold statements.
In light of these remarks, it is essential to evaluate how Onana’s performance stands relative to those iconic predecessors. Since joining Manchester United from Inter Milan in a deal worth £43.8 million in the summer of 2023, Onana’s tenure has been eventful. He began with a trophy-winning streak, claiming the FA Cup in his debut season, a fact he was eager to highlight in response to Matic’s criticism. Onana emphasized the significance of lifting trophies while playing for what he deemed “the greatest club in the world.”
As a 29-year-old goalkeeper, Onana has participated in 93 matches across all competitions, conceding 137 goals and achieving 23 clean sheets, which translates to an average of 1.47 goals against per game. Particularly notable is his performance in the current Premier League season, where he has managed nine clean sheets—the fourth highest in the league, despite Manchester United’s struggles, leaving them at 13th on the table.
Statistical analysis shows that Onana has made an impressive number of saves, ranking second only to Jordan Pickford in terms of goals prevented since his arrival. Yet, despite these accolades, Onana has also been guilty of errors leading to goals, with three other goalkeepers faring worse than him in this area. Notably, Arijanet Muric leads this unfortunate ranking with seven errors.
Additionally, Onana stands out for the number of saves he makes per game, averaging 3.4 attempts successfully stopped per 90 minutes—higher than both De Gea and van der Sar’s respective averages of 2.8 and 2.5. However, he struggles with save percentage metrics, with only Anders Lindegaard posting a lower figure. The likes of De Gea, van der Sar, and others traditionally outperform him in this crucial category. The whispers surrounding Onana’s skills become louder when one considers that he concedes a goal every 63 minutes, the worst rate among Manchester United’s keepers.
The critique surrounding Onana’s skills reflects broader challenges faced by Manchester United in the current season. Coach Ruben Amorim expressed a sentiment that resonates among fans and critics alike, describing this period as potentially the worst in the club’s storied 147-year history. Reflecting on the long-term impact, only Raimond van der Gouw has a lower clean sheet percentage for United’s Premier League goalkeeping history compared to Onana’s record.
In conclusion, while Matic’s words might sting, they open the door for Onana to reassess his performance and rise to the occasion, proving that he is more than just statistics and criticisms. With a forward-looking perspective, Onana has the opportunity to redefine his narrative and restore faith in his role at Manchester United, a club that prides itself on its rich heritage of exceptional goalkeeping. Only time will tell if he can step up and turn criticisms into affirmation of his abilities on the field.