Even as Manchester United threw away another lead, Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce provided a platform for a few maligned players to silence their critics.
Andre Onana was barely out of the headlines during an error-strewn start to life at Old Trafford.
Now, they say any publicity is good publicity. The Cameroon international goalkeeper would likely have a different view of things, however, Onana’s mistakes shouted out from the rooftops but his brilliance over the last few months barely warranting a mention in those bloodthirsty column inches.
Onana, quietly and away from the media glare, is developing into one of the finest shot-stoppers in the world.
Man United’s former Inter Milan glovesman is a ‘world-class’ talent with the ball at his feet – to quote ex-Red Devils keeper Anders Lindegaard – but it is with his hands that Onana continues to save Erik ten Hag on a near twice-weekly basis these days.
After pulling off a remarkable double save to secure a point at Crystal Palace, Onana did the ‘impossible’ as Man United frustarted Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in Turkey.
Erik ten Hag hails Manchester United duo Andre Onana and Manuel Ugarte
He was not the only one who denied the hosts an almost certain goal on the night either. Manuel Ugarte has faced plenty of questions over his own role since that £42 million deadline day arrival at Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain.
But, after a few games stuck on the bench, the Uruguayan justified his return to the XI with a heroic block to deny a Fenerbahce tap-in.
Both Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes felt this was Ugarte’s best United display yet.
“It was an unbelievable double save [from Onana], yeah,” Ten Hag reflects, speaking to reporters at full-time.
“And, also, there was on on the counter-attack where Manuel Ugarte [made] a great save on the goalline.”
If the return of Ugarte was a decision which received the backing of the Man United supporters, then the sight of Noussair Mazraoui lining up in the number ten role in place of a suspended Bruno Fernandes was not greeted with such universal acclaim.
Noussair Mazraoui impresses in Bruno Fernandes’ absence
Ten Hag is keen to point out that this is a role Mazraoui did play for Ajax, at times.
And while the summer signing from Bayern Munich is unlikely to have Bruno glancing nervously over his shoulder on Thursday night’s evidence, Ten Hag believes that Mazraoui brought balance, defensive nous and off-the-ball aggression ahead of Ugarte and goalscorer Christian Eriksen in an unusual midfield set-up.
“I think, away from home in Europe in a hectic ambience, to start with four attackers is too much,” Ten Hag argues, explaining why Amad Diallo was forced to watch on again from the bench.
“I know Nous is very capable to play in that position. I make a full back of him when before [at Ajax] he was always a number ten, especially from the left. I knew he had abilities to fill in that role.
“I think he was doing well. He was supporting the midfield, defending, supporting Josh Zirkzee pressing and he had a big role for the goal for Christian Eriksen. Then you can always move him back.
“He played brilliant.”
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