After watching Manchester United’s latest pre-season game against Real Madrid in the early hours of Wednesday morning, many fans have been left divided over their new goalkeeper André Onana’s performance on his debut.
Man United ultimately lost the game 2-0 after conceding both an early goal and one in the dying embers, and while the Cameroonian keeper showed plenty of positive signs throughout the match, it was hardly the result the Reds were looking for on his first outing.
The Spaniards opened the scoring inside the first six minutes after a long ball over the top and in behind the United defence left them chasing back, at which point Onana decided to come out to the edge of his box and pressure the on-running Jude Bellingham.
Unfortunately for him, the young English star had the calmness and composure to dink the ball over the 27-year-old to score his first finish for Madrid and while it was ultimately found to have been offside, the goal still stood and one of Onana’s first actions in red ended with him being chipped on his debut.
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 27, 2023
What a way to announce yourself but a moment to forget for Onana on his United debut.
To little surprise, Bellingham went on to win man of the match overall after shining throughout the game and although the goal should have been ruled out, it left many supporters watching at home debating whether Onana should have rushed out or stayed on his line.
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His positioning throughout the game, in fact, was highlighted throughout, with the pundits commentating on MUTV remarking: “It was interesting to watch him play so high. We’ve never had a United goalkeeper come 10-15 yards outside his box.”
Ex-pro Danny Webber was one of many who went on to note that “it’s an added benefit that he can come out and play with his feet”, with some even describing his passing distribution as “outrageous”, taking plenty of comfort in some impressive stats over the course of the 90.
Andre Onana showed a new way of playing he’ll unlock for #MUFC with high positioning + confident passing.
Erik ten Hag: “Definitely there are principles but he’s a keeper who can be used as a plus one in the back, so we will in our strategy put that in.”https://t.co/s7VKJKtaNApic.twitter.com/z402ETYxZk
One person tweeted, “The goal was absolutely his fault you have to do better there his distribution is great but as a goalkeeper and keeping the ball out of the net, I think he’s no better than [David] de Gea“. On the other hand, Onana did make two very decent reflex saves in the game, to his credit.
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Then came the second goal from 33-year-old former Stoke and Newcastle striker, Joselu, who produced an absolutely exquisite bicycle kick in the 89th minute which would have caught most keepers off guard and simply left Onana wrong-footed.
A few people on social media suggested that he should have come out to claim the cross (a criticism that was often levelled at de Gea) or at least attempted to get a hand to it given it was at his near post, but you won’t find many shot-stoppers with the reflexes to keep out finishes like this. What a goal.
Ultimately, these knee-jerk reactions to Onana’s first game in United colours are just that, and getting through your debut against one of the best teams in the world scot-free was an extremely tall order.
Moreover, judging anyone on their first game at a new club when they’ve barely had any time to even train with their new teammates, let alone play a competitive match, seems pretty harsh and premature.
Even still, his manager and former Ajax coach seemed content, as ten Hag said: “I think good. Solid. Two very good saves. He was there in the moment when the team needed him, he did his job. He integrated well in our team.” It’s a long old season so fans will have to see how he settles in.
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You can watch the highlights down below and decide for yourself:
Oldham RLFC chairman to step aside following ‘stadium ban’ and winding-up petition
Danny Jones
Oldham Rugby League Football Club chairman Bill Quinn has said he is stepping down from his role at the organisation following a reported club-wide stadium ban and an HMRC winding-up petition earlier this month.
Quinn has now claimed that the petition, which requires a company to appear in court over debts, has since been resolved, but the 59-year-old is still set to leave the local outfit.
Mirroring the concerning circumstances that nearly saw Salford Red Devils disappear completely last year, before a former player’s investment rescued the sporting institute in the eleventh hour, Oldham RLFC looked to be staring down a deeply concerning period of uncertainty.
Speaking directly to Roughyeds fans in a lengthy video share on social media, Quinn said that while he disagreed with many of the comments left by supporters online over the last few weeks, he understands their frustration and right to know what’s going on in and around Boundary Park.
Reiterating that he’s “more than happy” to answer reasonable questions levelled by Oldham residents and matchgoers, he said that he denies allegations made by fellow native club, Oldham Athletic, stating that they are “totally unfounded and untrue”.
The Latics are currently refusing the rugby league side from using their usual home ground, with the football team also serving as landlords and raising concerns over unpaid taxes and outstanding funds still owed to debtors – including OAFC themselves.
You can read their most recent public statement in full HERE.
However, Quinn claims that both entities claim the other one owes them money, and the situation looks to be unfortunately heading towards formal litigation.
Nevertheless, while Chorley-based businessmen say the club is prepared to settle their monetary differences if arrears prove to be the case on their part, he has still said that he will soon be quitting.
As you can see, despite plenty of support and sympathy from the faithful fan base, the process looks to already be in motion, and many are being urged to provide their feedback on what should happen next.
"Trust between a club and its supporters relies on openness and communication — both of which currently feel lacking. This open letter is not written in a spirit of hostility, but out of genuine concern for the future of Oldham RLFC".
Despite Quinn’s insistence that “everyone will be paid”, the spectre of possible liquidation has still caused plenty of concern among the community.
In the case of Salford RLFC, they were fortunate enough to have ex-winger Mason Caton-Brown step in as part of a consortium – you can read our full interview with him HERE – but as the weeks and months of that saga proved, a lot can change even day to day.
As for the coaching front, Alan Kilshaw has been confirmed as the new boss of the Roughyeds following director of rugby Mike Ford and his assistant Callum Irving leaving last week.
While winding-up summons obviously still loom large over the club at the moment, Oldham fans do at least have games to look forward to, with the Greater Manchester Championship club set to face off against Dewsbury Rams in the third round of the Challenge Cup this Sunday, 8 February (3pm).
Tracey Neville appointed as Managing Director of brand new Stockport County Women’s team
Danny Jones
Stockport County FC have finally and officially launched their new women’s team in what they are hailing as a “new era” for the female football in the area.
Moreover, they’ve hired an experienced international coach to head up the department, with Tracey Neville MBE selected as the Managing Director of the new outfit.
Sister to footballing brothers Phil and Gary Neville, but with an oft-overlooked impressive reputation of her own – having not only won bronze at both the 1998 Commonwealth Games and World Netball Championship in ’99 before going on to coach her national team – she arrives with plenty of pedigree.
Now swapping her discipline for a different set of nets, Tracey Neville will lead the pre-existing Stockport County Ladies setup into their next modern chapter as the SCFC Women.
The club is delighted to announce the launch of Stockport County Women, marking an exciting new era for women’s football in our town.
Writing in a short announcement on social media, the Hatters said: “The club is delighted to announce the launch of Stockport County Women, marking an exciting new era for women’s football in our town.
“Founded in 1989 as Stockport County Ladies, the team has spent 37 years as a volunteer-led community club, providing opportunities for women and girls across the borough.
“From the 2026–27 season, the team will compete as Stockport County Women, reflecting the growth of the women’s game and the club’s commitment to equality and opportunity.”
Also confirming the appointment of an experienced women’s and international sports personality, Tracey Neville, as the new MD, they’ve issued a clear mission statement.
Put simply, she and the rest of her staff are going to be tasked with creating “a clear pathway from grassroots to elite women’s football for Stopfordians.”
Commenting on her new role in a lengthier club statement, Neville said: “I am incredibly proud to be joining Stockport County at such a pivotal moment for the club and for the women’s game.
“My career in elite sport has shown me what is possible when there is a clear vision, strong leadership and a genuine commitment to developing talent from the ground up. Women’s football is at a defining point, and Stockport has the opportunity to do something special.
She goes on to add: “This is a community club with deep roots, and my focus will be on creating a clear, credible pathway for girls and women to progress, while building the standards, culture and infrastructure needed to compete at the highest level.”
“We want young girls in Stockport to believe that they can reach the top of the game without leaving their community. That’s how you build something powerful, sustainable and truly representative of the people it serves.”
This comes following another major announcement with the news of the next phase of the infrastructural development, with the wider football club set to take control of Stockport Sports Village (SSV) and turn it into the home not only of the youth academy, but County Women and grassroots club Stockport Town.
As for Stockport County Women, it was only last year that they were playing against Liverpool’s female senior first team at Edgeley Park, and with all the investment happening in and around the organisation, you can expect more dates like these in the near future.
Stockport County Ladies become Women from next season onwards.
Danny Jones -
27th July 2023 
