Passmaster Onana eclipses De Gea milestone against Arsenal despite defeat

Manchester United’s Andre Onana averages 2 goals conceded per game. (Photo Credit: Imago)

Passmaster Onana eclipses De Gea milestone against Arsenal despite defeat

Ayoola Kelechi 19:27 - 03.09.2023

Manchester United’s Andre Onana may have conceded three goals, but the quality of his passing was still worthy of praise

Manchester United’s defeat against Arsenal was not without a silver lining as goalkeeper Andre Onana reached a milestone for the club, outdoing former number one, David De Gea in the process.

Onana the passmaster

Onana conceded three goals, including two in extra-time as Arsenal ran out 3-1 winners at the Emirates, but the Cameroonian’s performance with his feet will have excited Manchester United fans regardless.

The Cameroonian goalkeeper was impressive in helping Manchester United build out from the back and gave a glimpse of the quality that the Red Devils can get used to in future games.

Onana completed a total of 40 passes from 51 attempts, a respectable 78% completion rate and more than De Gea managed in any single game for Manchester United between 2015 and his departure in 2023.

Onana key between the sticks for Manchester United

Onana was brought in partly for this reason as he has garnered a reputation of being adept with the ball at his feet and was a favourite of Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag to replace De Gea when it became obvious that the Spaniard would depart Old Trafford.

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Despite De Gea winning the Golden Glove in his last season at Manchester United, there were always doubts about his ability to help the team build out from the back with his suspect passing, and Onana’s recent milestone shows the difference in quality of passing between both goalkeepers.

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Onana has kept one clean sheet in four matches so far in the Premier League, and has conceded seven goals in that period, but is expected to improve on those numbers as the team around him improves as well.

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