Schmeichel defends struggling Onana 'singled out' for criticism

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has leaped to the defence of under pressure goalkeeper Andre Onana.

The Cameroonian international has been in the firing line after a series of horror errors during an unconvincing second campaign at Old Trafford.

The 29-year-old shot stopper received criticism for a pair of howlers in the Europa League quarter-final first leg against Lyon and was labelled 'one of the worst goalkeepers in the club's history' by former United midfielder Nemanja Matic.

Onana was then dropped by Ruben Amorim for Altay Bayindir in their Premier League visit to Newcastle.

But the Turkish keeper faced a torrid afternoon, with United succumbing to a 4-1 loss, allowing Onana an immediate return to the starting line up.

United are believed to be considering options elsewhere and have been linked with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kaua Santos and Lille’s Lucas Chevalier.

But Schmeichel, who won five Premier League titles and the Champions League, during an eight-year spell at the club, has defended the struggling keeper.

Asked about Onana's poor form, the ex-United goalkeeper told talkSPORT: ‘It’s been a difficult year, it’s been a difficult year for everyone, so singling out anyone, I think that would be very, very wrong.’

'Just look where Manchester United are in the Premier League. The players are not having the greatest time.

‘I try to explain this to people, why is it different playing for Manchester United as opposed to any other club?

‘I showed this to my wife the other day. We have a broadsheet newspaper in Denmark that doesn’t have a sports section, but they still carry Manchester United’s results and not just a little line but in an article.

‘If you’re any other club, or most other clubs, you don’t have that. You don’t have all the fringe, non-sporting papers reporting on your games and that is where the pressure is.

‘Every single thing you do in a game of football will be reported everywhere in the world.

'For instance, as a goalkeeper, if you make a mistake, everybody in the world will be talking about that mistake.

‘If you make a mistake for so many other clubs in the Premier League, they might just be in the newspaper the next day. But you’re not going to talk about it tomorrow or the day after.

‘That is where the mental toughness of being a Manchester United player comes in.'

United have endured a disappointing campaign and sit in 14th place, just two points above West Ham in 17th.

They travel to Bournemouth on Sunday before facing Athletic Bilbao in a crucial Europa League semi-final.