The Costly Antics of Goalkeeper Onana

The penalty shootout between Manchester United and Manchester City on Saturday provided a dramatic conclusion to the Community Shield, with Erling Haaland's successful spot-kick ultimately proving the difference. In a game that ended 7-6 in City's favor, it was United's goalkeeper, Andre Onana, who found himself in the spotlight for his unusual antics during Haaland's penalty. Unfortunately for Onana, his theatrics failed to distract the ice-cool Haaland, and the penalty ultimately contributed to United's narrow defeat.

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16 August, 2024

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Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana employed some interesting mind games during the penalty shootout against Manchester City in the Community Shield. According to reports, Onana attempted to psyche out City’s players with his antics, but ultimately only managed to save one out of eight spot-kicks.

The match, a traditional season curtain-raiser, ended 1-1 and went straight to penalties, with United initially taking a 3-1 lead after Bernardo’s poor penalty was saved. This seemed to boost Onana’s confidence as he then attempted to outsmart Erling Haaland with his psychological tricks. The goalkeeper stood to the left, inviting Haaland to slot the ball into the right corner.

Haaland, initially focused, soon realized what was happening and smirked. Undeterred, Onana persisted with his strategy, but Haaland was not fooled. The City striker took a short run-up and placed the ball exactly where Onana had been standing.

Erling Haaland sees the funny side of Andre Onana’s penalty games during the Community Shield shootout. Source: SPORTbible

This wasn’t the first time Onana had tried such tactics, having faced criticism for similar mind games in a pre-season match against Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes. Former United player Paul Scholes also expressed concern about Onana’s style, and the goalkeeper’s approach certainly didn’t pay off in this instance, with City ultimately clinching the Community Shield and a boost in confidence ahead of the new Premier League season.