Van der Sar openly discusses Manchester United's 'disappointment'

Legend Edwin van der Sar recently commented on Andre Onana's future, as Manchester United is reportedly ready to offload the Cameroonian keeper after this season.

According to the former Dutch goalkeeper, the Red Devils might be parting ways with a player who has “great qualities,” despite his disappointing performances at Old Trafford.

Van der Sar is no stranger to Onana. He worked with the goalkeeper at Ajax during his time as CEO. Starting as the third-choice keeper, Onana worked hard to become the number one at the Dutch club before moving to Inter Milan and making a significant impact.

It was Onana's impressive displays in Serie A, especially his journey to the UEFA Champions League final with Inter, that convinced Manchester United to pay £47 million to bring him in as David de Gea’s replacement. At that time, many believed he was the “perfect fit” for the possession-based style that Old Trafford pursued.

However, reality did not meet expectations. Onana repeatedly made baffling errors in his first season, placing him at the center of criticism. The instability in Manchester United’s defense only increased the pressure on the Cameroonian goalkeeper. Early this season, he lost his starting spot and was later loaned to Trabzonspor after the club signed Senne Lammens for £18 million.

According to multiple sources in England, Manchester United has decided to sell Onana permanently this summer, regardless of whether Trabzonspor activates the purchase option. Still, Van der Sar defended his former protégé, stating that Onana possesses excellent reflexes and strong footwork, which are crucial qualities for a modern goalkeeper.

“He has great qualities, but sometimes he makes mistakes that make you wonder how they happen,”Van der Sar shared. He added that a top club requires absolute stability in goal to build confidence in the defense. Meanwhile, Manchester United has undergone constant changes in defenders and coaching staff over the years, creating an unstable environment at Old Trafford for any newcomer.

Clearly, Onana’s story partly reflects Manchester United’s situation during this transitional period. Talent is undeniable, but the immense pressure of the Premier League can overwhelm any star if they fail to maintain consistency.