Manchester United share the points with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
Did they deserve it? Well, that’s open to interpretation. Manchester United were great in the first half and found themselves winning going into the break.
The second half was a different story. Tottenham dominated throughout and United didn’t have a sniff. Erik ten Hag‘s side were bossed about in the second 45 at Old Trafford.
Speaking of being bossed around – a prevalent issue arose against Tottenham which was identified by all three Sky Sports pundits on the night.
Andre Onana’s recurring issue for Manchester United
Speaking on Sky Sports Main Event – Roy Keane and Jamie Redknapp discussed a first-half incident which involved Cristian Romero towering over United defenders and cannoning a header onto Andre Onana‘s bar.
The pair both agreed that the keeper had to be more assertive in his area, and it wasn’t the first time he’d done this in the fixture.
“I want him to come and take control,” said Keane. “He’s in the six-yard box again.”
Redknapp agreed: “I think if the goalkeeper just takes control of it and just shouts with a bit of aggression that he wants to come and get it, very rarely will a defender or striker get in the way. I don’t understand why he doesn’t do that.”
Later into the game, Tottenham received a corner in the 51st minute, where Gary Neville called back to the earlier Onana discussion. He said:
“These corners that he’s [Pedro Porro] been putting in have caused huge problems. Wicked delivery. I agree with Roy Keane, Onana has to see that danger when his defenders can’t deal with it. Come out be dominant.”
This wasn’t just apparent in the Tottenham game. This is just a trait of Onana’s he’s been carrying throughout the season. He does not come out and claim corners.
Andre Onana issue reminscent of David de Gea
This was a recurring issue evident to see from anyone watching the fixture. Tottenham had 13 corners in the clash, each more heart-wrenching than the next for United fans.
Onana was merely a passenger as they were swung in. He just stood there and prayed his defence would deal with it… remind you of anyone?
This is exactly an issue that David de Gea had all those years at Old Trafford. £47m later – nothing has changed.
The Cameroon international needs to step up and command in these situations, it’s costing us.
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