Ben Foster says Manchester United signing was not helped by ‘horrible passes’, MUTV pundit backed his performance

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Ben Foster believes he spotted one concerning aspect of Andre Onana’s performance for Manchester United against Newcastle United on the weekend.

Andre Onana came in for some unwanted criticism following Manchester United’s 3-3 draw against Galatasaray in the Champions League but the Cameroon international was back to his best against Newcastle United.

The Red Devils were consistently bombarded at St James’ Park and conceded shot after shot but the Cameroon international, up until Anthony Gordon’s opener, was doing very well to keep the home side out.

Onana has received criticism for his performances, in the Champions League in particular, but the 27-year-old continues to perform in the Premier League.

Foster on Onana

Speaking on the latest episode of his YouTube channel, Foster was asked about Onana’s performances for the Red Devils and spotted one concerning aspect relating to the goalkeeper’s display at St James’ Park, lacking the support from his teammates.

“What I will say on Onana’s half is that on Saturday night, the defenders gave him some horrible passes,” Foster said. “The defenders are expecting him to take a touch and do something with these passes but he’s got a player pressing the life out of him.

“None of the full-backs wanted it, the centre-halves didn’t want it and none of the midfielders dropped to receive it. I was sat there thinking: ‘This isn’t on here’. You’ve bought him in to play this style of football but nobody was showing for it.”

Part of the frustration with Onana has been his tendency to play long balls rather than pinging driven balls through the lines like we know he is capable of doing, it seems to be a tactical instruction to play it long.

Despite his teammates failing to pick him out, the Cameroon international was praised by another former United player David May on MUTV, he said: “Onana rectified his midweek mistakes, made a couple of really, really good saves, couldn’t do anything for the goal.”

Onana’s passing statistics

The goalkeeper has completed 100% of the short passes that he has attempted in the Premier League this season, according to FBREF, but he doesn’t attempt them enough.

For some reason, the United defenders look to be afraid of showing for the ball when Onana has it at his feet but it is something that needs to be worked on.

The injury problems United have had in defence have played a major part in this. Once Lisandro Martinez returns to the first team, the Argentine will help improve this tenfold.

But for now, the players have to be braver in possession and trust that Onana will find them.