Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has come to the defense of struggling goalkeeper Andre Onana, who has faced intense criticism for a series of high-profile errors during the 2024-25 season. The Cameroonian shot-stopper, in his second year at Old Trafford, has been under scrutiny following mistakes that have cost United dearly in both the Premier League and Europa League, but Schmeichel believes the criticism has been unfairly harsh.
Onana, who joined United from Inter Milan for £47 million in 2023, has struggled to replicate the form that saw him shine in Serie A and the Champions League. His latest blunders came in a 2-2 Europa League quarter-final draw against Lyon, where he was at fault for both of Lyon’s goals. The errors led to head coach Ruben Amorim dropping Onana for United’s subsequent 4-1 Premier League defeat to Newcastle, with backup goalkeeper Altay Bayindir also failing to impress. Despite the mounting pressure, Schmeichel, a five-time Premier League winner and 1999 Champions League hero, has urged fans and pundits to consider the broader context.
Speaking to Metro, Schmeichel described the criticism of Onana as “very wrong,” emphasizing the unique pressures of playing for Manchester United. “Everything you do in a game of football will be reported everywhere in the world,” he said. “Just look where Manchester United are in the Premier League. It’s not just one player; it’s a team struggling.” United currently sit in 14th place, just two points above the relegation zone, amplifying the spotlight on individual errors.
Schmeichel’s defense comes amid a public spat that has further intensified scrutiny on Onana. Former United midfielder Nemanja Matic, now at Lyon, labeled Onana “one of the worst goalkeepers in the club’s history” after the goalkeeper claimed United were “way better” than Lyon ahead of their Europa League clash. The war of words, which spilled onto social media, saw United legend Paul Scholes intervene, revealing he told Matic to “leave our goalkeeper alone” before the Lyon match.
Despite the criticism, Onana was reinstated for the second leg against Lyon, where United staged a dramatic late comeback to secure a semi-final spot against Athletic Bilbao. Amorim, who has publicly backed Onana, explained his decision to recall the goalkeeper as part of managing his mental resilience. “We speak about managing players physically, but we also have to manage them mentally,” Amorim said. “Onana is ready.” The Portuguese manager has also indicated that a new goalkeeper is not a priority, with transfer plans focusing on outfield players, suggesting Onana will remain United’s No. 1 next season.
However, Onana’s long-term future at United remains uncertain. Reports suggest the club is monitoring potential replacements, including Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale, AC Milan’s Mike Maignan, and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kauã Santos. Saudi clubs have also shown interest in Onana, who reportedly faced a wage cut after United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League. Despite these challenges, a source close to Onana told ESPN that the goalkeeper feels refreshed after his brief time away from the team and is determined to fight for his place.
Schmeichel, who has previously spoken about Onana’s struggles with the pressure of playing for United, reiterated the need for mental resilience. In a 2023 interview, he noted that Onana was “very depressed” after early mistakes against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray, underscoring the emotional toll of the role. “I try to talk to him about what it’s like to be at Manchester United,” Schmeichel said at the time. His latest comments reflect a continued belief in Onana’s potential to overcome his current difficulties.