The task facing Manchester United now – with Andre Onana in top form and Rasmus Hojlund back in action – is all about finding the right balance.
With their defence transformed from last season – both in terms of personnel and performance – can Erik ten Hag marry a better record at the back with a much-needed ruthless streak in the final third?
Manchester United had no problems finding the net during the 7-0 midweek win over Barnsley. But, while Ten Hag lauded both Matthijs de Ligt and Marcus Rashford as they scored in quick succession against Southampton last time out, United still missed their fair share of chances at St Mary’s.
The game finished 3-0. But, if United had not been so wasteful after that rapid-fire double salvo late in the first-half, the visitors would have hit four or more in a Premier League game for the first time under the former Ajax boss.
Those missed chances counted for little in the grand scheme of things as United cruised to victory at St Mary’s.
United would not be so fortunate at Selhurst Park, however. Despite positing an XG of nearly two, United were held to a goalless draw as Ajelandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes and the towering De Ligt all missed very presentable opportunities.
Andre Onana hails Manchester United duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui
It was a game Man United should have won, and comfortably. Then again, it was also a game they could have lost.
Despite fine individual performances from Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, Diogo Dalot and De Ligt, United still needed bailing out in the second ’45 by Andre Onana’s unbelievable’ double save.
Those heroics aside, it was a rather quiet evening for the Cameroon international goalkeeper in South London.
And, speaking after United kept a third straight clean sheet for the first time in 20 months, Onana was full of praise for those in front of him. Particularly for De Ligt and Mazraoui, two players the shot-stopper shared a dressing room with at Ajax.
The duo also played together at Bayern Munich, with De Ligt glowing in his praise for long-time team-mate Mazraoui.
“Great. I have known them [since] long ago, they are familiar faces for me,” Onana smiles, while also highlighting the contributions of Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans, plus a soon-to-be returning Victor Lindelof.
“So I am happy to play with them, but not only them.
“Harry was doing great, now we have Victor Lindelof back. We have Jonny Evans when the team needs him. So it’s a good mix.”
Onana also lauds Altay Bayindir after rare Red Devils outing
Ten Hag handed a rare start to his back-up glovesman when Barnsley arrived at Old Trafford.
Altay Bayindir spoke out about his frustrations in midweek, having featured only once until the third round of the Carabao Cup. Onana, meanwhile, was keen to praise the man he continues to keep on the bench even if the former Fenerbahce man had very little to do against a Tykes side so poor they left Barnsley manager Darrell Clarke fuming.
It is important to stick together. It doesn’t matter who is playing. I am also very happy with the debut of Altay at Old Trafford,” Onana adds. “He got the clean sheet so things are going good.
“We have to stay very positive.”
While Lindelof steps up his return to first-team action, a delighted Ten Hag welcomed back Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount ahead of that trip to Crystal Palace.
Hojlund made his first United appearance with the number nine shirt on his beck when he came off the bench at Selhurst Park.
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