Manchester United have found themselves in the firing line, accused of turning £47 million goalkeeper Andre Onana into a “sacrificial lamb” amidst broader struggles at Old Trafford. Since the reign of Sir Alex Ferguson, the club has been a challenging environment for both players and managers, with new signings often finding the transition to Manchester United fraught with difficulty.
Andre Onana, the Cameroonian shot-stopper, is one of the latest to face such challenges. His much-anticipated move from Serie A titans Inter Milan to United turned sour, as he ended up being labelled a significant flop under former manager Erik ten Hag, who saw him as the successor to David de Gea. While Onana initially showed promise, his form plummeted in the 2024/25 season, leaving him deemed surplus to requirements. His exit was confirmed with Senne Lammens’ arrival just before the transfer window closed.
Now plying his trade at Turkish club Trabzonspor on loan, Onana has earned accolades for a “fantastic” debut performance, despite a narrow loss to Fenerbahce. Remy N’Gono, a Cameroonian journalist, has spoken out, lamenting Onana’s decision to join United, claiming the club has made him a fall guy.
N’Gono stated, “I was the only one on this set who said that Onana shouldn’t go to Manchester United and that he would fail resoundingly.” He further remarked, “It’s that Andre Onana who lost confidence. You shouldn’t have gone to that Manchester United team.”
He went on to criticise the club’s handling of Onana, suggesting that others should share the blame for the team’s poor performance under manager Ruben Amorim, rather than pinning it all on the goalkeeper.
Meanwhile, Senne Lammens’ sibling revealed scepticism about the Belgian’s move to United, given the club’s recent history of failing to maximise the potential of new recruits. However, Lammens’ decision was swayed by United’s longstanding interest and commitment, hoping to be part of the club’s revival to past glories.
As the shadows of Sir Alex Ferguson’s era continue to loom, it remains uncertain whether Lammens will fare better than his predecessor. The Red Devils are left pondering whether they can rekindle their former dominance and restore their reputation as a haven for footballing talent.
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