Sir Alex Ferguson, the iconic former manager of Manchester United, has voiced strong criticism regarding Cameroonian goalkeeper André Onana. In an interview with rio.meets.world, Ferguson didn't mince words about the player's inconsistency at Old Trafford.
"Watching Onana last season was worrying," Ferguson stated. "Too many mistakes, too many goals that should never have been conceded at Manchester United". He insisted that at Manchester United, inconsistency is immediately exposed and that talent alone is not enough. "Onana is a talented goalkeeper, no doubt. But Manchester United is not a place for mistakes: if you are not consistent, you don't survive long at Old Trafford," he added.
In stark contrast, Ferguson praised the performances of Lammens, another goalkeeper whose impact has been significant this season. "Lammens, however, has completely changed the feeling around the defense. You can see confidence again," he explained. He highlighted Lammens' impressive statistics, noting that he is approaching the Premier League record for the number of saves in a single season.
Ferguson also placed Thibaut Courtois at the top of the hierarchy of current goalkeepers, while suggesting that Lammens surpasses names such as Marc-André ter Stegen and David Raya in terms of influence and saves this season.
Ferguson's comments highlight the challenges faced by players playing in top clubs like Manchester United, where regularity and consistent performance are paramount. The pressure is immense, and mistakes are rarely forgiven, making the task particularly difficult for newcomers.
André Onana joined Manchester United in July 2023 and featured in almost every game during his first season. However, after two years marked by costly errors, he was loaned to Trabzonspor in September 2025. Despite a tough start at Trabzonspor, where he conceded a goal in a controversial defeat against Fenerbahçe, Onana was named man of the match, making eight saves, a number he had only reached twice with Manchester United. Consistency remains a challenge for the Cameroonian goalkeeper, who seeks to prove his worth and regain his best form.
