2023-10-06 22:49:00
André Onana was one of the major architects of Inter Milan’s epic journey to the final of the last Champions League. But if Manchester United have not taken any points in two group matches played this season, they are one of the main culprits. His current poor form is more talked about than his past influence, it is the harsh law to which goalkeepers are subject. But we must recognize that the gap is immense.
Onana, recruited for 55 million euros by the Red Devils last summer, fourth most expensive goalkeeper in history, announced as a huge sporting added value post-David De Gea, is plunged into a doubt which seems deep .
First there is what we see. And what most people see, namely the European scene. Onana began his C1 campaign with a gross hand fault on Bayern Munich’s opener on the first day (4-3). He continued, Tuesday against Galatasaray (2-3), with a huge recovery error which cost Casemiro a red card, and a penalty – admittedly missed – to United. Not to mention the third Turkish goal, on which he was lobbed by a stolen ball… approximately by Mauro Icardi.
Rasmus Hojlund comforts André Onana against Galatasaray
Credit: Getty Images
4 goals conceded in the last 6 shots on target
There is also what we read. Onana’s statistics are far from his standards from last season. The Cameroonian has conceded 18 goals from his 50 shots on target received in all competitions – including 4 in the last 6. That’s a stoppage rate of 66%. His average of saved shots on target is 11th in the Premier League, 25th in the Champions League. Last season, he had 77.6% saves in all competitions, and 81% in C1, the 6th best total in the competition.
The numbers don’t tell everything, but the images complete them. In anticipation, on his line and even in his kicking game, Onana too regularly shows signs of feverishness. Him whose serenity upon recovery is usually so insolent. And his performances have become a very regular topic of discussion, which is rarely a good sign for a goalkeeper.
“I am responsible for this defeat. This mistake cost us the victory. We deserved to win, but because of me, we did not win. It’s my fault,” he said after his mistake against Bayern . “He will bounce back, he is a very important player,” replied Erik ten Hag.
My beginnings are not great
The Dutchman then did not hesitate to highlight the two good performances that followed, as if to say, ‘look, he’s better’. But Tuesday evening, after this new evening in hell, he once again played the role of luxury support. “I’m going to encourage Onana, support him. He’s a great goalkeeper, he can be one of the best in the world. He’ll bounce back, I’m sure.”
Andre Onana after his mistake against Bayern Munich
Credit: Getty Images
And his defense will have to rebound with him. Because on Tuesday, Diogo Dalot, for example, was much too tender in the duel against Wilfried Zaha on the opponent’s first goal. Because a few minutes later, Sofyan Amrabat, repositioned midfielder… left side – which says a lot about the equipment currently available to Ten Hag – was costly with his poor alignment on the losing goal.
Onana is therefore not the only culprit, but only he can escape this vicious circle. He would not be the first to have been recruited at a high price only to fail in the Manchester shirt – Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek are recent examples. But the former Ajax player arrived with a completely different status last July. “He will help the team reach higher levels,” predicted Ten Hag.
Two months later, it’s no longer the same melody. “I have a lot to prove because to be honest, my debut at Manchester United was not great,” admitted the person concerned two weeks ago. To tell the truth, we are no longer very far from calling them failures.
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