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Manchester United star Andre Onana tops the Premier League for minutes performed this season, whereas his captain Bruno Fernandes clocks in at quantity 4.
The Cameroonian goalkeeper switched Milan for Manchester final summer time in a £47.2 million transfer to switch long-term primary at Previous Trafford, David De Gea. Having beforehand performed beneath Erik ten Hag at Ajax, Onana was seen by the Dutchman as a key a part of his deliberate evolution for the United staff, given De Gea’s weak point in possession; an space Onana thrives.
Nevertheless, regardless of a match-winning efficiency on his debut at Previous Trafford in opposition to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Onana’s first few months in England had been nothing in need of disastrous.
Whereas his league kind was rocky in patches, with the 27-year-old usually beat far too simply by opposition strikers, it was in Europe the place the goalkeeper’s contributions proved decisive – in a destructive method.
Onana made calamitous errors in just about each considered one of United’s Champions League group video games; which regularly proved key to his aspect occurring to lose the sport.
One match specifically – the away match in opposition to Galatasaray within the hostile Rams Park stadium – noticed the Cameroonian worldwide reward the Turkish aspect two targets in embarrassing vogue, after United had gone 2-0 up themselves. The match completed 3-3, regardless of United main on three separate events, and left the Reds with an inconceivable job of reaching the knock-out phases.
It could not be an exaggeration to say Onana single-handedly triggered United’s dismal early exit from the competitors.
But, since this departure in December, the goalkeeper has largely turned issues round, delivering a lot of highly-impressive performances because the flip of the 12 months. Regardless of a revolving door of a again 4 in entrance of him, owing to an nearly unimaginable damage disaster in defence, Onana is second within the Premier League for clear sheets.
His distribution, which led the membership to focus on him within the first place, has additionally considerably improved, with United’s attackers usually discovering themselves in one-on-one positions within the opposition half after a Paul Scholes-esque long-range cross by their goalkeeper.
Put merely, Onana has discovered his toes at Previous Trafford, and his kind has improved with it. And this has been pushed by Ten Hag’s continued religion in his goalkeeper – mirrored by Onana racking up essentially the most minutes performed within the league this 12 months.
These lads have actually put a shift in for his or her golf equipment this season 💪😮💨 pic.twitter.com/BKWrpRwOT3
— The Solar Soccer ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) March 23, 2024
Maybe much more spectacular than Onana’s minutes, nonetheless, is Fernandes’.
A goalkeeper will usually high this chart, because the place is way much less bodily demanding than an outfield position. Which is why Fernandes’ minutes – an attacking midfielder on the coronary heart of his staff who usually leads United’s press – are stunning.
However, for a participant who has by no means missed a membership sport by way of damage throughout his complete profession, maybe it shouldn’t be. And, given the damage disaster which has engulfed Ten Hag’s squad this season, this energy of Fernandes – his reliable availability – doesn’t obtain sufficient recognition.
In a season outlined by absence, part of the explanation United have been stored nearly afloat is the ever current pairing of Onana and Fernandes.
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