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'Maguire is to blame for Onana's mistakes'

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Andre Onana of Manchester United speaks with teammate Harry Maguire during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham FC at Old Trafford on February 24, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Andre Onana of Manchester United speaks with teammate Harry Maguire during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham FC at Old Trafford on February 24, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

One of Andre Onana's former teammates says Harry Maguire is to blame for the Manchester United goalkeeper's mistakes this season.

The Cameroon shot-stopper joined the Red Devils from Inter Milan in the off-season, having previously played under Erik ten Hag at Ajax Amsterdam.

Read: Only THREE players 'safe' as Man Utd prepare mass overhaul

However, Onana committed some costly errors in the UEFA Champions League, where the club failed to make it out the group stages.

Former Liverpool and Ajax winger Ryan Babel feels playing behind Maguire has contributed to the goalkeeper's errors.

"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 Metro.

"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."

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