Andre Onana Stuns Man Utd Fans with Unorthodox Move During Cameroon Match
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana raised eyebrows and sparked online debate amongst fans with his actions while playing for Cameroon in a recent international fixture. Just days after contributing to Manchester United’s dominant 3-0 victory over Leicester City – a game where he reportedly played through mild conjunctivitis – Onana joined up with his national team and secured a clean sheet in a goalless draw against Eswatini on Wednesday.
While the match itself at the Mbombela Stadium wasn’t a thriller and offered few memorable moments, Onana’s conduct on the pitch became a major point of discussion. Cameroon struggled to break down Eswatini’s defense, a team ranked significantly lower at 159th globally. Frustrated by his team’s offensive difficulties, the former Inter Milan shot-stopper took matters into his own hands in a rather unexpected way.
The incident unfolded during a Cameroon free-kick opportunity approximately 30 yards from goal. Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo was preparing to take the set piece when Onana, in a surprising move, sprinted from his goal all the way upfield to offer Mbeumo some tactical advice. From his unique perspective as a goalkeeper, Onana appeared to be analyzing the Eswatini defensive wall and suggesting strategies to find a breakthrough.
Despite Onana’s intervention, Cameroon couldn’t convert the free-kick, and the game remained scoreless. Nevertheless, Onana’s proactive approach and desire to influence the game offensively, even from his goalkeeping position, was hard to ignore. It’s worth noting that Onana has offered set-piece guidance for Manchester United previously, such as against Fulham, but typically from his more conventional position within his own half, not directly beside the free-kick taker.
This unusual display by Onana immediately ignited a flurry of reactions across social media platforms.
- One Manchester United supporter on X (formerly Twitter) commented, “Onana is doing too much, he is not the coach.”
- Another fan jokingly remarked, “Onana thinks he’s the Arsenal set piece coach,” referencing a rival team known for set-piece prowess.
- A more cynical fan added, “Soon he’ll be taking free kicks and corners,” implying Onana was overstepping his role.
- One user expressed concern over team dynamics, stating, “Zero respect for his teammates and coach.”
- Finally, another commenter quipped, “Doing everything but shot stopping,” perhaps referencing past criticisms of Onana’s goalkeeping performances.
Goalkeepers Getting Involved: Onana Follows Raya’s Lead in Pitch-Side Coaching
Interestingly, Andre Onana isn’t the only Premier League goalkeeper recently observed offering close-range tactical input during free kicks. Arsenal’s David Raya demonstrated a similar proactive approach. During Arsenal’s 1-0 victory against Chelsea, Raya was seen leaving his goal to converse with Declan Rice before the midfielder took a free kick. While Raya’s advice, like Onana’s, didn’t immediately lead to a goal, it highlights a growing trend of goalkeepers becoming more involved in outfield tactics, particularly in set-piece situations.
These incidents involving Onana and Raya raise questions about the evolving role of goalkeepers in modern football. Are we seeing a new era where goalkeepers are not just shot-stoppers, but also active communicators and on-field strategists, even outside of their traditional defensive duties? It remains to be seen if this trend will become more common in the Premier League and other top leagues.
Share your thoughts! Were Onana’s actions helpful tactical input or an unnecessary distraction? Let us know in the comments below!