Edwin van der Sar, a Champions League-winning goalkeeper with Manchester United, has publicly backed Andre Onana, urging the club and its supporters to exercise patience as the Cameroonian goalkeeper navigates a challenging period at Old Trafford.
Onana, 29, joined Manchester United from Inter Milan in 2023 following a successful tenure at Ajax, where he was mentored by van der Sar.
However, his transition to the Premier League has been marked by several high-profile errors, leading to criticism from fans and former players alike.
Notably, former midfielder Nemanja Matic labelled Onana as “one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history” ahead of a Europa League clash against Lyon.
Despite these setbacks, van der Sar remains confident in Onana’s abilities.
Reflecting on their time together at Ajax, van der Sar highlighted Onana’s growth from a young talent to a key player in European competitions.
He remarked, “We had Andre for four or five years at Ajax… he did a tremendous job for us from a young boy, coming from Barcelona.”
Van der Sar acknowledged the challenges of adapting to the Premier League but emphasized Onana’s mental resilience and technical skills.
He added, “Give him confidence and time, and I’m certain next season United will have a top-tier Premier League goalkeeper in Andre Onana.”
Manager Ruben Amorim has also expressed support for Onana, opting to retain him as the starting goalkeeper despite recent performances that led to his temporary exclusion from the squad. Amorim’s decision suggests a commitment to Onana’s development and a belief in his potential to succeed at Manchester United.
As Onana continues to adjust to the demands of English football, the backing of figures like van der Sar and Amorim may prove instrumental in restoring his confidence and performance levels. With time and support, Onana has the opportunity to fulfill the promise that once made him one of Europe’s most sought-after goalkeeping talents.
