Andre Onana was rooted to his line for Aston Villa’s first goal (Picture: Getty)
Patrice Evra has defended Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana over his error against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
Onana, who replaced David de Gea as United’s No.1 goalkeeper this summer, has made a series of mistakes this season.
He was arguably again at fault for Villa’s first goal at Old Trafford, with the Cameroonian rooted to his line when he should have been coming to collect a ball that bounced about two yards out.
Onana’s final act of the first half saw him pass the ball straight out of play, prompting a chorus of boos from frustrated home supporters.
But Evra defended the 27-year-old in his half-time analysis as he told Amazon Prime: ‘It depends on the style of the goalkeeper. If you had Thibaut Courtois, he would have come to that ball [to stop Aston Villa’s first goal].
‘I played with Edwin van der Sar, I played with David de Gea. They never would have come out like that.
‘People can point and say it’s a goalkeeper error. But I think it’s just the type of goalkeeper.’
Fellow pundit Eni Aluko disagreed with that viewpoint and said: ‘I think Andre Onana should control the box better for the first goal. Any time a ball bounces in the box you have to look at your goalkeeper.
‘There is a lot going on, some blocking, a great ball in from John McGinn, but he has to be more front footed there.
‘As soon as the ball bounces you think could he have come and caught it and dispelled the danger?’
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Despite going into the break 2-0 down, Evra was left impressed with United’s performance in the opening 45 minutes.
The former United left-back added: ‘If you don’t watch the game and just look at the result, Aston Villa 2-0 up you think, ‘Oh, here we go again’ – but actually before the game started we spoke about being clinical.
‘United created enough chances to be winning the game, but at the last moment they make the wrong decisions. I cannot sit and say United did not have a good first 45 minutes. They did have a good first half. If United play the same way and be more focused on set-pieces, I would not be surprised if they win 3-2.’
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