Ruben Amorim told Andre Onana is a 'top keeper' as explanation offered for struggles
Andre Onana has been backed despite his Manchester United struggles with the team's defence blamed for the goalkeeper's difficult moments during his time at the club
Andre Onana has been labelled a "great goalkeeper" by former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf. The Manchester United No.1 has continued to struggle and was recently dropped by Ruben Amorim, but has received a glowing endorsement.
Onana is into his second year in Manchester having been signed for just shy of £50million. The club chose to move on David de Gea and bring in the Cameroon international from Inter Milan, where he reached the Champions League final.
The 29-year-old has struggled since making his debut for the Red Devils with a number of his errors leading directly to goals. Those issues have continued and, after a difficult outing recently in Lyon, he was dropped for the following game before regaining his starting place.
Leboeuf believes that Onana remains a top-drawer shot-stopper and the lack of confidence that has filtered through the entire back four will not be helping the goalkeeper, who is being exposed.
He told BetVictor: “I think Andre Onana is a great goalkeeper. He showed this during his time playing in Italy and the Netherlands, in my eyes his current issues are because of a lack of confidence. You expect confidence from your keeper, when I was playing in a defence and Fabian Barthez was behind me, I had that trust in him to take care of things if I made a mistake – that’s massive for a defender.
READ MORE: Man Utd plotting shock transfer raid for Man City star after Pep Guardiola admissionREAD MORE: Ruben Amorim gets major transfer boost as ambitious Man Utd plans emerge“Many players around Onana are also struggling and it’s a tough situation, it means that players must be responsible for their actions and not leave themselves exposed defensively if Onana isn’t at his best.”
Onana has kept nine clean sheets in the Premier League this term, the same amount as Liverpool No.1 Alisson. However, the ex-Ajax goalkeeper has also been part of numerous blunders - including being beaten direct from a corner during a loss at Wolves back in December.
The United No.1 was also responsible for an error that saw Brighton secure a 3-1 win at Old Trafford - after which Amorim did appear to call out his goalkeeper. He said: "It’s like the team (Onana’s error) – ups and downs. Really up sometimes, and then really low downs. We have to maintain our focus during all the games to try and win games. That is the only way we can turn things around."
Altay Bayindir remains United's No.2 but didn't cover himself in glory when he deputised for Onana during the 4-1 defeat at Newcastle recently. There have been reports of United pursuing a new goalkeeper in the summer, but they are understood to have different priorities at present.
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