Manchester United’s Andre Onana has become a surprising bright spot in an otherwise turbulent season for the Red Devils. Despite facing a relentless barrage of shots – the most Manchester United have conceded in a Premier League season with an average of 16.4 per game – Onana has emerged as a reliable last line of defense.
The Cameroonian shot-stopper has racked up an impressive 103 saves thus far, showcasing his agility and reflexes. These saves haven’t just kept the ball out of the net; they’ve demonstrably defied statistical odds. Based on Expected Goals on Target (xGOT), a metric that analyzes the likelihood of a shot resulting in a goal, Onana’s interventions have prevented an additional four goals.
This stellar performance is even more remarkable considering Manchester United’s defensive woes. The team’s struggles have exposed Onana to a higher than usual volume of shots, yet he has risen to the challenge.
This newfound consistency is a significant turnaround from Onana’s early-season blunders in the Champions League. His errors against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray cast doubt on his ability to adapt to the Premier League’s breakneck pace. However, Onana appears to have learned from those mistakes, solidifying his position as Manchester United’s undisputed number one.
Onana’s impressive form is further bolstered by his elite ball-playing skills. A modern goalkeeper needs to be comfortable with the ball at their feet, and Onana excels in this area. This skillset is crucial in Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag’s possession-based philosophy, allowing the team to build attacks from the back.
Onana’s current form places him firmly in the conversation for the Premier League’s Golden Glove award. He currently sits just one clean sheet behind leader David Raya of Arsenal who is out on loan from Brentford. However, Onana’s value transcends clean sheets. His ability to make crucial saves and contribute to the team’s build-up play makes him a truly elite goalkeeper.
If Onana can maintain this level of performance, Manchester United will have a cornerstone to build upon for years to come. His development from a talented shot-stopper to a well-rounded, world-class goalkeeper is a positive sign for a team desperately seeking a return to glory.
