Onana is 'not suited in English game' says former Man Utd keeper

Andre Onana should consider leaving Manchester United if he cannot overcome his troubling run of form.

That’s the candid advice from former United goalkeeper Massimo Taibi, who infamously endured his own nightmare spell at Old Trafford, including a notorious howler against Matt Le Tissier in 1999.

Since his arrival from Inter Milan in July 2023, the 28-year-old Cameroonian has faced intense scrutiny for a series of errors, with the criticism reaching a peak after he conceded directly from a Matheus Cunha corner in United’s Boxing Day defeat at Wolves.

Taibi, now 54, believes Onana may need a fresh start if he cannot rediscover his form by the end of the season.

He said: “I’d be straight to the point and tell him, ‘Andre, you are one of the best keepers in Europe but in the Premier League, you are underperforming.

"Block out criticism, do some soul-searching, press the reset and go again. And if things don’t change by June, move on'.”

Taibi suggested that Onana’s struggles might stem from an underlying mismatch between the player and the club’s environment.

“I think subconsciously the United environment isn’t ideal for him, and when a marriage is showing cracks, it’s pointless to continue," he said.

"Sometimes things don’t work out at a team, and it’s best to go separate ways, which would not be a failure.

"For me, he’s a strong goalkeeper who finds himself in a situation where he can’t show his skills because he is not cut out for the English game. He’s only suited to the Prem when it comes to his ball-playing ability and structure.”

Taibi also reflected on Onana’s decision to leave Inter Milan, where he had established himself as one of Europe’s top goalkeepers, describing it as a calculated but ultimately misjudged risk.

“In his place, I’d not have left Inter, where he was a big shot. He made a calculated risk thinking he would slot in seamlessly at Manchester United, but it backfired," he said.

“Even though he hasn’t lived up to expectations, he remains a top keeper, one of the best in Europe.”

Looking ahead, Taibi suggested that Onana might thrive in leagues that better suit his skill set.

“Andre’s a better fit for an Italian or French team. For English football, you need a goalkeeper who is more imposing, regularly comes off his line using his fists, and has a different saving technique,” he said.

As United prepare to face Newcastle tomorrow, Onana’s future hangs in the balance, with Taibi’s advice serving as both a warning and a reminder of the high stakes of life at Old Trafford.