Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has defended struggling goalkeeper Andre Onana amid the criticism for his many errors.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Onana struggling for form at Man UtdSchmeichel launches defence for OnanaClaims playingfor Man Utd requires 'toughness'Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Onana's time has at United has not been great since his big-money move from Inter. The Cameroonian goalkeeper has been on the end of a number of mistakes with the Red Devils, and his recent mistakes against Lyon following criticism by former United star Nemanja Matic, who called Onana 'one of the worst goalkeepers in the club's history'.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Onana has conceded a total of 122 goals in 96 games for United in all competitions and the Red Devils are now considering their options for next season. However, Schmeichel, who won five Premier League titles and the Champions League with United, has now launched a defence for Onana and made a point showcasing the "mental toughness" he has shown so far at Old Trafford.
WHAT SCHMEICHEL SAID
Speaking to , Schmeichel said: "It’s been a difficult year, it’s been a difficult year for everyone, so singling out anyone, I think that would be very, very wrong. Just look where Manchester United are in the Premier League. The players are not having the greatest time. I try to explain this to people, why is it different playing for Manchester United as opposed to any other club?
"I showed this to my wife the other day. We have a broadsheet newspaper in Denmark that doesn’t have a sports section, but they still carry Manchester United’s results and not just a little line but in an article. If you’re any other club, or most other clubs, you don’t have that. You don’t have all the fringe, non-sporting papers reporting on your games and that is where the pressure is. Every single thing you do in a game of football will be reported everywhere in the world.
"For instance, as a goalkeeper, if you make a mistake, everybody in the world will be talking about that mistake. If you make a mistake for so many other clubs in the Premier League, they might just be in the newspaper the next day. But you’re not going to talk about it tomorrow or the day after. That is where the mental toughness of being a Manchester United player comes in."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ONANA?
United are rumoured to be looking at alternatives for Onana and have been connected to Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kaua Santos and Lille’s Lucas Chevalier. However, the Cameroonian will be hoping to alter his future at the club with a strong showing before the end of the season.
