Onana rebuked for picking on 'easy target' Maguire in heated Man Utd row
New Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has come in for criticism after furiously remonstrating with Harry Maguire during a pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund.
Onana had only been on the pitch for a few minutes when he was called into action and made a fine save to deny Sebastien Haller. However, the goalkeeper was furious with United's defence for gifting Haller the opportunity.
After the ball went out of play, he sprinted towards Maguire and berated him, with United losing possession after an exchange between the defender and Christian Eriksen. However, former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor has criticised Onana's actions, claiming Maguire has become an "easy target" and the mistake was actually Eriksen's.
"First of all, Harry Maguire didn't do anything wrong," Agbonlahor told talkSPORT. "He played a ball to a midfielder and the midfielder gave it away. I feel like he's an easy target.
"I don't like that from Onana. Are you doing that to [Lisandro] Martinez? Are you running after [Marcus] Rashford like that? I don't think you are. Maguire's an easy target, so I didn't like the look of that.
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"I'd understand it if it was a big mistake and it's cost a goal or it was Harry Maguire's fault, fair enough. But I want to see that same energy for every player. He sees Maguire going through that phase of Man Utd fans on social media (saying), 'Leave, leave, leave'.
"He's not going to react either, Harry Maguire. He's thinking, 'You know what, keep a low profile because I want to fight for my place'. I didn't like it and it wasn't even a mistake from Harry Maguire."
Maguire has been defended by Gabby Agbonlahor (Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)What's your opinion on Andre Onana's row with Harry Maguire? Let us know in the comments below!
Onana was asked about the incident while speaking to MUTV. He said: "I try to talk to them a lot because I know he's a good player, he is one of the captains of the the team.
"That’s big and he is good with the ball, so I would demand [from] him a lot and he’s a good, great guy. I have a good relationship with him. I have to be and he has to be ready and I spoke with him because when I'm in the goal, I demand to everyone a lot."
Speaking after the game, Eriksen spoke highly of Onana when asked to compare him to predecessor David de Gea. Eriksen backed the former Inter Milan stopper to "fit in very nicely" after making a £47million move to Old Trafford.
"He's a different player - more of a different style," Eriksen told reporters. "Of course, we were sad to see to David leave - what he's done for the club and what he was like as a character - but Andre is going to come in and do what he does best.
"He's going to take his time and he has a lot to follow up because, I mean, David was not a little player at United for many, many years. So, he has a lot of things to catch up, but I'm sure he will fit in very nicely as well."
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