Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana showed his fearless side in the crucial Champions League tie with Galatasaray, while making a couple of bad mistakes along the way too.
The first few weeks did not go totally according to plan for Manchester United for new signing Andre Onana. But over the past month, he has recovered his confidence. Hopefully it did not suffer too much of a dent last night.
There was no greater illustration of his rising confidence than at the end of the first half between Manchester United and Galatasaray, when Andre Onana popped up in the centre circle, surrounded by players from both teams, to turn and complete a pass.
Now this was something you would never see from the many other Manchester United goalkeepers who came before him, with the possible exception of Fabien Barthez.
It displayed the belief Onana has in his game, and came after he had conceded a free-kick – the first of two. Onana is now playing without fear, to do this in a crucial Champions League game. But the night was not a great one for the goalkeeper, more on that later.
Rio Ferdinand gave his verdict
Former star Rio Ferdinand told TNT Sports he was taken aback by Onana’s positioning. He exclaimed: “If i was playing and I saw my goalkeeper pirouetting on the halfway line I’d be screaming.”
Ferdinand went on to accept Onana has the skill to pull it off, remarking: “He looked better than the centre-halves doing it.”
He later praised his confidence in possession, commenting: “So calm under pressure, Onana.”
But that’s all well and good, providing you can save free-kicks.
The attraction and struggles of Andre Onana
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wanted to sign Andre Onana because he can introduce a new style of playing, and embrace having the ball at his feet.
When he comes out the box, like any other goalkeeper, there is a risk, but as he gets to know his teammates and they get to know him, the confidence between them increases.
There was no damage done with his unusual moment last night, although there were big questions asked when he conceded two Hakim Ziyech free-kicks.
The second mistake was particularly bad, spilling a tame effort into the net. There was no excusing it. Onana has let United down badly in the Champions League at times this season, with the exception of a penalty save at home to Copenhagen.
At the start of the game he had made a brilliant close-range stop from a corner, displaying the goalkeeping skills which has seen him rise to the top of the Premier League clean sheet charts this season.
There are more to come, while United fans will eventually become used to the sight of Onana with the ball at his feet in the centre circle. But hopefully not his tame efforts at keeping free-kicks out of the net.
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