While speaking to Manchester United media ahead of their Premier League clash against Newcastle on Sunday, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has defended David De Gea’s Successor, Andre Onana – who in recent time has faced criticism from fans and football enthusiasts.
Hi Erik, I know you have talked a lot about Andre Onana since the game on Wednesday. His form has been analysed, but are we being too harsh on Andre Onana?
”If you analyse it well, then you will see he is the second-best goalkeeper in the Premier League, based on stats. His expected defense on goal is the second-best in the Premier League. So, he is doing well, but also he knows that, in the Champions League, he has made some mistakes. But, overall, in the first five months, he is doing particularly well.”
Is it difficult to gauge how well Manchester United are playing at the moment? If you look at the Premier League form, it is fantastic, then you have the Champions League frustrations. Is it frustrating for you because you know how good this team can be?
”You said it: very good, how good we played on Wednesday. We played very good. In Copenhagen, we played very well and, even in Bayern Munich, we played very well. We have to do some things better, eliminating individual errors. Also, things are in the transition, but we can sort this out. I would be more concerned if we didn’t play that well.”
Erik, you know Onana as well as anybody. How is his confidence after these high-profile mistakes he has made?
”You know also because you have seen how he is reacting after a bad performance, as he did after Munich. Then after, against Burnley, he was outstanding. He is a strong character, a personality, and he will deal with it.”
With a game to conclude group games, Manchester United sits at the bottom of Group A of the UEFA Champions League—Andre Onana who was in goal post for the Red Devils, has conceded the most goals (14) since the tournament began.
In the Premier League, United remains the only club from the top that has no goal difference, they have scored 16 goals and conceded 16 in this campaign. Onana is currently tied with the most clean sheets (5) with Sam Johnstone in the League.
