Onana in firing line as former Man Utd player labels him 'unacceptable'

Ruben Amorim's turbulent start at Manchester United continues, with the form of key players coming under scrutiny.

Among those facing criticism is goalkeeper André Onana, whose performances have been labeled “unacceptable” by former United striker Louis Saha.

Amorim, who succeeded Erik ten Hag in November, has had a challenging introduction to life at Old Trafford.

Despite a few bright moments – such as a 2-2 draw against Liverpool and an FA Cup victory over Arsenal – the 39-year-old has struggled to reverse the team’s fortunes.

United have now lost five of their last seven Premier League matches, leaving them 14 points adrift of the Champions League places and just 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

The latest blow came in a 3-1 home defeat to Brighton, marking the Seagulls' third consecutive victory at Old Trafford.

Onana, who joined United from Inter Milan in 2023 for over £40 million, made a costly error in the Brighton defeat.

His inconsistency has drawn the ire of critics, including Saha, who insists competition is needed to push underperforming players.

“There is a need for every player at Manchester United – apart from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo – to feel threatened with competition,” Saha told Paddy Power.

“No one has shown they deserve anything in the next game. The manager can challenge and criticize them because it’s not good enough.

“The backbone of this team, from the back four to the forwards, must avoid mistakes. Unless you can guarantee that, you shouldn’t be a guaranteed starter.

"None of those players should feel secure. If you don’t have a confident goalkeeper, he has to be challenged. These performances are unacceptable; it’s not normal.”

While Onana’s form has been questioned, former England goalkeeper Joe Hart believes the Cameroonian has been “failed” by his teammates and the system.

“I feel for André Onana,” Hart told Stadium Astro. “He will be questioned, and there will be conversations about what’s best for the team moving forward.

"But they brought in a goalkeeper who thrives in a specific system. Under Erik ten Hag at Ajax, he was excellent.

"He’s a Champions League finalist with Inter Milan, a league winner. But Onana is a system goalkeeper, and it seems like he was assured he’d have options when playing out from the back.

“Right now, I don’t see a team in front of him making the effort to play or provide options. I see players turning their backs on him, a lack of energy, and the atmosphere when he gets the ball is tense.

"That’s not necessarily all on him – it’s on the players around him.”

Hart added, “He hasn’t been flawless, but his hesitation stems from what he sees – or doesn’t see – in front of him.

"At the moment, the whole team, including the manager, is failing him. If you want to play out from the back, it takes all 11 players and the coach to commit to that style.”

Hart emphasized that Onana’s struggles are indicative of broader issues at United.

“At Ajax and Inter, Onana had endless options to pass. At United, he sees blind alleys and ends up going long. That’s not what this team is set up to do, and it’s why possession keeps turning over.

“You could bring in another goalkeeper, but the problem isn’t just about passing ability. It’s about being part of a system, and right now, that system isn’t working. This puts even more pressure on Amorim to fix it.”

Onana will aim to bounce back from his error when Manchester United face Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday. As the team looks to find consistency, Amorim faces mounting pressure to instill confidence and cohesion in his squad, particularly as high-profile players like Onana continue to underperform.