All summer, Manchester United fans had been rubbing their hands thinking about the positive impact Andre Onana could have on their side's play. Yet just 22 minutes into his first match at Old Trafford against Lens, they saw the negative side of their new £47-million ($60m) goalkeeper's way of playing.
The Cameroonian was outside his area when his side were in possession, but when Diogo Dalot's wayward pass landed at the feet of Lens forward Florian Sotoca, he was left dangerously exposed. Sotoca reacted quickly, and with his first touch he sent the ball high into the air, leaving Onana to scramble back towards his line in vain.
As he lay lying tangled in the net with a glum look on his face, many supporters might have been wondering if getting rid of David de Gea for Onana was such a wise move after all. They may have remembered the words of warning from Dwight Yorke and Ben Foster, who have reiterated that a goalkeeper's number one job is to make saves, not get involved in the play. A goalkeeper's place is in his area, not outside it, they will have thought.
They should brace themselves for more heart-in-mouth moments from Onana and indeed more costly errors. But they should also remember that the goalkeeper has not been brought to Old Trafford to play it safe. He has been signed to transform the team's style of play and bring United up to speed with their greatest rivals. And, if he is given the support and patience he needs, that is what he will do.