Manchester United’s 2-3 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday saw goalkeeper André Onana come under heavy scrutiny following a costly error that led to the visitors’ second goal.
Despite the criticism directed at the Cameroonian keeper, Onana has received strong backing from his coach, Ruben Amorim, who reaffirmed his support for the player.
Onana, who has been a key figure for both Manchester United and the Cameroon national team, made a high-profile mistake during the match that allowed Forest to take the lead.
The error, which was widely discussed across media platforms, shifted the momentum in favour of the visitors, ultimately contributing to United’s disappointing defeat.
🔴✋🏻 Ruben Amorim on Onana’s mistake: “André has saved us a lot of times!”.
“We have to find a way when mistake happen. We have to turn it around to help our goalkeeper. The same way he saves us at Ipswich”. pic.twitter.com/3hrZX0HlOK
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 8, 2024
In the face of mounting criticism, Amorim, who currently manages Sporting CP but has been frequently linked to top European clubs, stepped in to defend his goalkeeper.
Addressing the media in a recent press conference, Amorim was quick to highlight Onana’s importance to the team and the broader context of his performance.
A mistake can happen,” Amorim said, showing a firm stance on the situation.
André has often been the pillar that has saved us from heavier defeats.
A mistake can happen, but it is everyone’s responsibility to bounce back and score to do him justice.
We must not forget his decisive role in the match against Ipswich (1-1).
We are a team: we win together and we lose together, Amorim continued, as reported by renowned Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Amorim’s words emphasize the collective nature of the team’s performance, reminding everyone that football is a team sport where individual errors do not solely define outcomes.
🗣️Ruben Amorim vole au secours d’André Onana 🇨🇲 après son erreur contre Nottingham Forest :
“André nous a sauvés à de nombreuses reprises !
Nous devons trouver une solution lorsque des erreurs se produisent. Nous devons nous mobiliser pour soutenir notre gardien, de la même… pic.twitter.com/yDwl0uD96q
— Sport News Africa (@snewsafrica) December 8, 2024
Despite his recent misstep, Onana’s role as a vital player for Manchester United has not gone unnoticed, with his contributions regularly praised since his arrival at the club.
His experience, leadership, and shot-stopping ability have been integral to United’s defensive setup, and Amorim’s support underscores the belief that Onana will recover from the setback and continue to be a key figure for the Red Devils.
While Manchester United’s defeat was frustrating, especially with the critical error by Onana, the club’s reliance on his talent and experience remains steadfast.
The team, led by manager Erik ten Hag, will look to move forward and address the mistakes made in this match, while Onana will focus on bouncing back from this challenging moment, with the full support of his coach and teammates.
