Time and again, it happened.
Andre Onana will need several more solid outings, clean sheets and a lot less dramas to convince supporters that Manchester United have found their long-term No.1.
The Cameroon international made eight saves and was generally top, or close to it, in most of the United player ratings after the 0-0 draw against Liverpool, at Anfield. He parried a couple of shots that he could have held on to but there were a couple of fine reaction stops in there.
Ahead of what was a daunting trip to league leaders Liverpool, Onana told Sky Sports. “We are not facing a good moment. I hope things will change as soon as possible.
“But listen, you want to tell me in six months the best goalkeeper in the Champions League last season can become the worst in the world? No. Everything is temporary. I know it’ll be alright. If not today, it will be tomorrow, if not tomorrow, the day after tomorrow.”Following the scoreless draw, in from of a record Premier League crowd at Anfield, a reporter cheekily told Onana ‘there’s sort of a myth about the atmosphere here’.
Asked if he noticed anything different, Onana replied, “Nothing. At Manchester United, you have to be ready for everything.”
Interviewer: "There's sort of a myth about the atmosphere here and at one point, it was all directed at you when you were taking goal kicks, did you notice it?"
Onana : "Nothing" pic.twitter.com/78Tlbza9Lz
— Red Marrow (@RedMarrow_) December 18, 2023
Fans pile in on Andre Onana kicking
While Andre Onana had eight saves to two from Alisson Becker, his opposite number, the distribution stats were more marked.
Alisson had a 97% pass completion rate, attempting 37 and only giving away possession once. Onana attempted 43 passes and only found a teammate on 27 occasions [63% success rate]. Only Diogo Dalot was more sloppy in possession, for both sides.
On multiple occasions, including four times in the latter stages of the first half, Onana’s kicks went straight out for Liverpool throw-ins, up the pitch. It led to a mix of football fans cribbing about his vaunted distribution skills, while others wondered if he was kicking the ball dead on purpose [almost like a rugby player would, to find touch].
Oh and don’t forget we bought Onana for his passing ability! Then all he does it kick it out fir throwing time after time after time after time 🤯🫠
— Simon❌ (@simoncoolston) December 18, 2023
While it looks like sloppy play, Erik ten Haag has recognized a weakness in Liverpool's play and asked Onana to kick the ball out for throw ins to expose a tactical opportunity. 🧵 1/67
— Andy D – @andykiko.bsky.social (@andykiko) December 17, 2023
Onana just kickin everything to Throw in 😂
— E (@Eben_Ik) December 17, 2023
Onana has played more balls to throw in than completed passes in this match. What this strategy is from Ten Hag I don’t know.
— Adeola (@Eojaa_) December 17, 2023
How many times is that clown Onana going to kick in to touch 😡 he was supposed to be bought in for his kicking. I’ve lost count how many kicks have gone out for a throw in 🤦🏼♂️
— Marlon van Baron (@M_v_Baron) December 17, 2023
For the most part, Andre Onana pinging kicks up-field and leaving Liverpool to their throw-ins was a safe enough option until near the end of the match.
Onana rushed from his goal-line and the plan was definitely not to shank a clearance into the stands. He jogged back as Mo Salah took a quick throw-in, which almost led to a Luis Diaz goal.
All told, though, the record books will state the United goalkeeper kept his league-leading sixth clean sheet of a rollercoaster season.
Related links:
- Manchester United could lose one of their star players for free next summer
- Roy Keane calls out ‘arrogant’ Virgil van Dijk for Man United remark
- Man United and Newcastle’ European exits could be costly for the Premier League
- Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes name the two players Man United should have signed in the summer
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