Manchester United André Onana’s family placed under police protection after his poor performance in 2-2 draw with Olympique Lyonnais
It’s been a nightmare week for André Onana. After coming under fire for his performance in Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with Olympique Lyonnais in the Europa League, the Cameroonian goalkeeper faced a much more serious situation off the pitch.
Manchester United André Onana’s family placed under police protection
According to the Daily Mail, his wife, Melanie Kamayou, was assaulted and robbed in a Manchester restaurant on March 29th. The attackers reportedly stole a handbag worth £62,000 and a luxury Rolex watch.
In the aftermath of the attack, Manchester United took swift action by requesting police protection for Onana and his entire family. The 29-year-old, already under sporting pressure, now has to deal with the emotional toll of this traumatic event. For both the player and his loved ones, these are undeniably difficult times.
Sure! Here’s a 1000-word article discussing André Onana’s performance and the heavy criticism from fans following Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with Olympique Lyonnais:
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André Onana Faces Heavy Criticism After Costly Errors in Manchester United’s 2-2 Draw Against Olympique Lyonnais
In what was expected to be a crucial turning point in Manchester United’s European campaign, the Red Devils were held to a 2-2 draw by Olympique Lyonnais at Old Trafford. The dramatic stalemate, which featured moments of brilliance and disarray, was largely overshadowed by goalkeeper André Onana’s performance. The Cameroonian shot-stopper, already under scrutiny after a turbulent season, became the focal point of fan backlash after a series of costly mistakes that directly contributed to Lyon’s comeback.
A Match That Started With Promise
Manchester United started brightly, dominating possession and creating a flurry of chances in the opening stages. Goals from Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes gave the Red Devils a comfortable 2-0 lead heading into halftime. The midfield trio looked fluid, and the attacking unit was vibrant. It appeared the team had found their rhythm at a crucial time in the season.
But the second half brought a different story.
Onana’s Blunders and Lyon’s Revival
As the second half commenced, Olympique Lyonnais came out with renewed intensity. In the 58th minute, they won a free kick just outside the penalty box. Lyon’s Thiago Almada stepped up and fired a well-placed shot over the wall, but what seemed like a routine save for a keeper of Onana’s caliber turned into disaster. Onana misjudged the flight of the ball and allowed it to slip past him into the net.
Then, in the 78th minute, the situation worsened. Lyon’s Rayan Cherki unleashed a powerful shot from distance, which Onana initially appeared to have under control. However, he failed to catch or parry the ball effectively, fumbling it into the path of Alexandre Lacazette, who tapped in the equalizer. What had been a commanding position for Manchester United disintegrated due to glaring errors in goal.
Fan Backlash on Social Media
The response from Manchester United fans was immediate and fierce. Within minutes of the final whistle, social media platforms were flooded with criticism directed at Onana. Hashtags like #OnanaOut and #SellOnana began trending on X (formerly Twitter), and several fan forums were rife with frustration.
Some supporters expressed disappointment, labeling his performance as “unforgivable” and “embarrassing,” especially in a match of such magnitude. Others questioned Erik ten Hag’s decision to keep faith in the Cameroonian goalkeeper despite his inconsistent form throughout the season.
One user wrote:
> “Onana is not a United-level keeper. Simple as that. We’ve seen enough. That Lyon game should be the last straw.”
Another added:
> “We cannot compete in Europe with a keeper who makes mistakes like that. Absolute liability.”
While not all comments were vitriolic, the general consensus among fans was one of disillusionment and impatience.
A Season of Inconsistency
André Onana’s move to Manchester United from Inter Milan was met with considerable excitement. Known for his ball-playing ability and shot-stopping prowess, Onana was seen as a modern upgrade to David De Gea. However, his first season at Old Trafford has been riddled with inconsistency.
High-profile errors in the UEFA Champions League group stage, including against Galatasaray and Bayern Munich, saw United crash out of the tournament prematurely. Though Onana has also produced several match-saving performances—such as his penalty save against Copenhagen—those moments have often been overshadowed by his frequent lapses in concentration.
Analysts have pointed to his confidence on the ball and distribution as valuable assets, but they also note that his decision-making under pressure has been problematic. The Lyon match added more evidence to the growing concerns about his reliability in goal.
Ten Hag’s Dilemma
Manager Erik ten Hag, who had worked with Onana during their time at Ajax, remains one of his most vocal supporters. After the Lyon game, Ten Hag refused to single out his goalkeeper, instead focusing on the team’s need to improve collectively.
> “We win together, we draw together, and we learn together,” Ten Hag said in the post-match press conference. “André has our full support. He knows he can do better, but it’s not about blaming individuals.”
Nevertheless, there is growing pressure on the Dutch manager to reassess his goalkeeping options, especially with backup keeper Altay Bayındır waiting in the wings. Calls from fans for Bayındır to be given a chance are growing louder with each passing game.
The Psychological Toll
The mental strain of playing under such scrutiny cannot be overstated. Onana, known for his self-confidence and vocal nature, has not publicly responded to the criticism. However, insiders at the club suggest he has been deeply affected by the negativity surrounding his performances.
Former players have also weighed in. Paul Scholes, speaking on a post-match panel, said:
> “I like Onana, I really do. But you can’t keep making these types of mistakes at this level. The fans are justified in asking questions. He needs to bounce back—fast.”
Rio Ferdinand echoed similar sentiments, stressing the importance of strong mentality:
> “Being a Manchester United keeper is not for everyone. You’re under the spotlight every single second. He has to decide whether he wants to rise or crumble.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the backlash, Manchester United remains in contention to progress, with the second leg against Lyon offering a shot at redemption. The big question remains: will Onana start?
With key fixtures in both the Premier League and Europe looming, Ten Hag must decide whether to stick with his first-choice keeper or make a change. The stakes are high, and every decision will be scrutinized.
As for Onana, the only way forward is to respond on the pitch. In football, criticism is part of the game—but so is the opportunity for redemption. His next performance may very well define his season—and possibly his future at Manchester United.
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