Manchester United's Andre Onana pulls off goal-line antics to distract Man City in shootout, fails to make impact as video emerges
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana was in the limelight for his antics during the penalty shootout loss in the Community Shield against Manchester City on Saturday (August 10). The Cameroonian goalkeeper saved one kick but let in seven as the Cityzens claimed a 7-6 shootout win at the Wembley.
Despite facing a great deal of criticism in his debut season in 2023-24, Onana remained bullish and was one of his side's better performers. The goalkeeper, who was signed as a replacement for David De Gea, had told fans heading into the 2024-25 season that he will take a lots of risks.
Onana delivered on his promise after the Community Shield had ended in a stalemate after 90 minutes and went to penalties. The former Inter Milan goalkeeper took up a strange position in the shootout, appearing to invite opposition players to have a free shot at an exposed part of the goal.
In the video, he showed Erling Haaland a path to goal, but the Norwegian striker calmly slotted his effort into the opposite corner. Onana saved just one penalty in the shootout, stopping Bernardo Silva from scoring City's first kick.
Manchester United fans have seen their goalkeeper do something similar on penalties this summer. The 28-year-old carried out the same actions in the friendly shootout against Arsenal in pre-season, with Gabriel Magalhaes putting his kick past him.
The shot-stopper couldn't do much to help his side in the Community Shield, as their "noisy neighbours" got one over them. Pep Guardiola's side avenged their 2023-24 FA Cup final defeat by claiming their first piece of silverware of the 2024-25 season.
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes worried by goalkeeper Onana ahead of 2024-25 season
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes said in a podcast that goalkeeper Andre Onana's goals conceded bothers him ahead of the new season. The former midfielder said on The Overlap:
"The goalkeeper is a big concern for me. Even in pre-season with some of the goals he conceded. I worry to death about him."
The goalkeeper kept nine clean sheets in his debut season in the Premier League, the fifth-most by any goalkeeper. He also saved 72.77% of shots faced, underlining how essential he was to Manchester United.
Andre Onana was not without fault, though, particularly in his early days as a United player, making a series of high-profile mistakes. The ex-Ajax man will, however, be more confident heading into the 2024-25 season, especially after his performances late on last campaign.