Erik Ten Hag hails Onana as Premier League's finest goalkeeper
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Ten Hag hails Andre Onana || Credit: Imago and EPA

Erik Ten Hag hails Onana as Premier League's finest goalkeeper

Stephen Oladehinde 20:17 - 01.12.2023

Erik ten Hag's statement places Andre Onana at the forefront of the conversation about the Premier League's best goalkeepers

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has made a bold claim, asserting that goalkeeper Andre Onana is the second-best shot-stopper in the Premier League this season. 

While this statement may raise eyebrows among some fans and pundits, it also highlights Ten Hag's unwavering support for his new recruit.

Onana joined United from Inter Milan in the summer transfer window, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a reputation for being a top-class goalkeeper. 

However, his initial performances for United have been met with mixed reviews, with some questioning his decision-making and consistency.

Despite these criticisms, ten Hag remains steadfast in his belief in Onana's abilities. His recent comments suggest that he sees Onana as a key player in United's quest for success and is confident that he can reach his full potential at the club.

Andre Onana is rated the higest goalkeeper in the PL. (Photo Credit: Whoscored/X)
Andre Onana is rated the higest goalkeeper in the PL. (Photo Credit: Whoscored/X)

Erik Ten Hag Backs Onana

Ten Hag's assertion that Onana is the second-best goalkeeper in the Premier League is not without its basis in statistics. 

According to FBref, Onana ranks among the top goalkeepers in the league in terms of save percentage, expected goals prevented, and goals prevented.

These statistics indicate that Onana has been making a significant contribution to United's defense, despite the team's overall struggles. His ability to make crucial saves and prevent goals from being scored has been a vital factor in United's ability to pick up points.

Addressing Onana's Recent Errors

While Onana's overall performance has been positive, there have been instances where he has made errors that have cost United. 

Most notably, his mistakes in the Champions League against Galatasaray and Bayern Munich raised concerns about his ability to perform consistently at the highest level.

However, ten Hag has defended Onana, attributing these errors to a lack of familiarity with the English Premier League and the physical demands of the competition. He believes that Onana will learn from these mistakes and continue to improve as he adapts to the Premier League.

Taiwo Awoniyi embarrasses Andre Onana  at OT. || Image credit: Imago
Taiwo Awoniyi embarrasses Andre Onana at OT. || Image credit: Imago

Ten Hag's Confidence in Onana

Ten Hag's unwavering support for Onana is a clear indication that he sees the goalkeeper as a valuable asset to the team. 

His belief in Onana's abilities could be a key factor in helping the goalkeeper reach his full potential and establish himself as one of the Premier League's top shot-stoppers.

While Onana may have faced some initial challenges in adapting to the Premier League, his talent and potential are undeniable. 

With ten Hag's backing and continued dedication, Onana has the opportunity to silence his critics and prove that he is indeed one of the best goalkeepers in the league.

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