Man Utd Goalkeeper Onana Shouts at Maguire in Pre-Season Defeat: Historic Moment or Clickbait?
In a recent pre-season friendly defeat for Manchester United against Borussia Dortmund, goalkeeper Andre Onana became the first goalkeeper in the club’s history to shout at a teammate for forcing him to make a save. The incident occurred during the match in the early hours of Monday morning.
Many news outlets have sensationalized this moment, with headlines claiming Onana lost his rag and brutally laid into Harry Maguire after a mistake. The media coverage has blown the incident out of proportion, treating it as headline news rather than a common occurrence in football.
Reporting on Everton should be easy this coming season as there will undoubtedly be moments when their goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, shows incandescent rage at defenders. However, it is unlikely that these moments will receive the same level of attention as Onana’s outburst due to the media’s focus on Manchester United, new signings, and high-profile players like Maguire.
This clickbait-style reporting is not exclusive to football news. Other headlines on popular news websites highlight mundane topics, like former athletes taking on different careers or players being unemployed. These articles often present basic information as exclusive interviews or major revelations.
An example of misleading reporting can be seen in the Daily Mirror’s headline suggesting that Jurgen Klopp had made a fresh transfer pursuit of Kylian Mbappe by speaking to his father. However, the article later clarifies that the phone call actually took place in April 2020. The media often combines unrelated stories to generate clicks without considering the integrity of the information being presented.
In a similar vein, the recent coverage of Mauricio Pochettino’s first trophy win as Chelsea manager in the Premier League Summer Series has been overstated in some publications. Headlines claim that Pochettino has secured his first piece of silverware, although the tournament is relatively insignificant in the grand scheme of football. The articles attempt to make the achievement appear more significant than it actually is.
It is important for the media to maintain journalistic integrity by presenting balanced views and avoiding sensationalism. While the incident between Onana and Maguire may be mildly interesting, it does not warrant the excessive coverage it has received. Football fans would appreciate more accurate and meaningful reporting that adds value to their understanding of the game.
In conclusion, the media’s focus on Man Utd and other high-profile clubs often leads to exaggerated reporting and sensationalized headlines. It is crucial for journalists to prioritize accurate and meaningful coverage over clickbait tactics. Football fans deserve quality reporting that enhances their understanding of the sport without unnecessary hype.
