da bet esporte： Former Ajax winger Ryan Babel has claimed that Andre Onana has looked worse due to his team-mates during a difficult first season at Man Utd.
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Ex-Ajax player defends OnanaClaims Man Utd team-mates haven't helpedBacking goalkeeper to come goodWHAT HAPPENED?
Babel, also formerly of Liverpool, suggested that the players in front of Onana are putting him at a disadvantage because they are not as naturally technical as the team-mates he had at Ajax. The retired 37-year-old particularly called out Harry Maguire, claiming that the centre-back doesn't give Onana the passing options he was previously used to.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Onana has been steadily criticised all season as a result of erratic moments that had become increasingly seldom. But he came under fire on Saturday following United's 1-1 draw with Burnley at Old Trafford after conceding a late penalty that cost the team two points. Catching Zeki Amdouni in the face when trying and failing to punch a high ball clear, it was a similar incident to one he had got away with on his Premier League debut against Wolves last August. But he wasn't so fortunate this time.
WHAT BABEL SAID
"I know the spotlight is on Onana a lot in this United team, but the mistakes we've seen are as a result of a combination of things," Babel said, via .
"Onana, at Ajax, had a back four in front of him who were all incredible with the ball at their feet. Respectfully, if Onana is then playing with Harry Maguire, then that immediately puts Onana in trouble, because he’s playing with defenders who aren't opening themselves up, or making the right runs, so that Onana has options to play, and that puts him in trouble.
"At Ajax, Onana had the privilege of four great defenders, and Frenkie de Jong in front of them. Onana is a great goalkeeper, but they made him look even better. If a set of players don't work well together, it makes some of those players in particular look terrible. In this case, that’s what Onana has experienced.
"Absolutely, though, some mistakes have been completely his fault; sometimes you question his positioning, or you just wonder what he’s doing. He’s not been himself in my opinion, but from what I know of him, and what I’ve seen, he’s an incredibly talented goalkeeper, and I hope that more people can see that next season for Manchester United."
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ONANA?
Onana will be hoping to finish the season well to serve as a springboard into his second campaign in 2024-25, where he benefit from a full pre-season. He hasn't kept a clean sheet since a 2-0 victory over Everton on March 9 and will be hoping to change that in remaining Premier League fixtures against Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Newcastle and Brighton.