Players are usually supportive of team-mates like goalkeeper Andre Onana who are struggling for form. In training, there will be an arm around the shoulder.
However, the reality is when mistakes continue, there will also be background conversations between players — well out of his earshot — about whether Ruben Amorim should drop him because he’s costing Manchester United results.
Sometimes, the manager might ask senior players what they think, even if it’s only to confirm his own instinct.
Amorim doesn’t strike me as a manager who runs things by committee but I don’t think it’s impossible he’ll discuss Onana with Bruno Fernandes or Harry Maguire to get a sense of whether the team are losing confidence in their keeper.
It happened to me during my career that managers would seek the views of his dressing room leaders before making a big call.
Changing your goalkeeeper is arguably the biggest call of all, because it’s a clear In or Out — unlike outfield players who can be used from the bench to revive their confidence.
Man United goalkeeper Andre Onana (centre) made two errors in Thursday’s 2-2 draw at Lyon
Onana fumbled a simple save in stoppage time, resulting in Lyon scoring a very late equaliser
United boss Ruben Amorim must now decide whether or not to stick with Onana as his No 1
It’s possible to personally show sympathy for an out-of-form colleague, you’d treat them as you’d want to be treated yourself, but also want the manager to act because players are selfish and want to be part of a winning side.
Amorim gets to see the players train, which we don’t, but I’d be surprised if he’s not considering replacing Onana with Altay Bayindir who was man-of-the-match in the FA Cup against Arsenal.
If there is a lack of belief from the wider group, it breeds negativity. And if a change is to be made for the big Europa League second leg against Lyon, Bayindir has to play at Newcastle on Sunday to get his rhythm.
My personal view is that while Onana has had some good games this season, he’s become a liability and the mistakes in France on Thursday were really poor — not for the first time.
Being taken out of the firing line might even do him some good so he can go away and reset away from all the pressure. Teams at the highest level smell weakness and if Onana is picked this week, Lyon will target him; shoot from everywhere and jump all over him at free-kicks and corners.
The fans also seem to have lost faith and their discontent would just add further drama, which Amorim doesn’t need for his most important game yet. I don’t know how things work at United but having been around many dressing rooms, it would be unrealistic to think players are not chatting about whether Onana should play.
It would be shrewd of Amorim to privately consult his captain before making his decision. It’s one he can’t afford to get wrong.
