Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, has defended goalkeeper Andre Onana, claiming that the 27-year-old is the second-best goalkeeper in the Premier League based on statistics. Despite Onana’s errors leading to goals in the recent 3-3 draw against Galatasaray, Ten Hag points to Onana being tied for the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season, with five. Additionally, Onana has prevented 3.67 goals, ranking him second in the league in terms of goals prevented, according to Opta calculations.
These statistics, derived from expected goals on target (xGOT) conceded figures, take into account the quality of chances for the opponent and shot execution. Ten Hag emphasizes the importance of analyzing these stats to appreciate Onana’s overall performance, indicating that the goalkeeper’s expected defending goals are the second-best in the league. Onana, a £47.2 million summer signing from Inter Milan, took over the goalkeeping duties from David de Gea.
Champions League Challenges and Onana’s Resilience
While Onana faced criticism for his mistakes in the Champions League, particularly in the recent draw against Galatasaray and the earlier loss to Bayern Munich, Ten Hag remains supportive. The manager acknowledges Onana’s errors but highlights the goalkeeper’s resilience and overall strong performance in the first five months of the season. Ten Hag points to Onana’s outstanding display in the Premier League match against Burnley as evidence of his capabilities.
Despite the setbacks in Europe, Ten Hag emphasizes Onana’s character and personality, expressing confidence that the goalkeeper will overcome challenges. The manager recognizes the player’s reaction to a poor performance, citing his strength of character. As Manchester United prepares for their upcoming Premier League fixture against Newcastle United, Ten Hag remains optimistic about Onana’s contribution to the team.
Injury Update: Malacia’s Rehabilitation Process
On a separate note, Manchester United provides an update on defender Tyrell Malacia’s injury status. The 24-year-old underwent further knee surgery after experiencing a setback in his recovery. Malacia, who has not played this season due to the initial operation in the summer, is now back at the club to commence his rehabilitation.
The club states that Malacia’s surgery was successful, and he is expected to return to action “early in the new year.” The defender’s absence has been felt throughout the season, and his impending return will likely provide a boost to the team’s defensive options. As Malacia begins his recovery process, Manchester United remains focused on maintaining a strong performance in both domestic and international competitions.
