Social442
Manchester United 2d ago
Erik ten Hag is finally using Man Utd star’s skill for which he was signed, he needs to keep backing him
Source:Manchester United

Erik ten Hag said so himself after the win vs Brentford that there's no need to overrate it so the focus is already on Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce next.

Manchester United's Europa League campaign is yet to get off the ground with two draws in their first two games making for bad reading.

However, the game vs Brentford provides something to build upon with many heroes emerging, like Alejandro Garnacho shining bright, or Matthijs de Ligt's warrior-like mentality.

Amidst all the heroes, one man's contribution went under the radar as it has become the new normal for him.

Only this time, it looks sustainable with the skill added for which he was initially brought in by Erik ten Hag. Brentford was a clear example of the same.

What worked against him, however, was Ten Hag's insistence on getting a more "modern" goalkeeper who could play with his feet and sweep up balls behind the defence.

Thus, Andre Onana came in and immediately, the expectation was that he would become a key part of the buildup.

MORE UNITED STORIES

The exact opposite happened as he started by getting chipped from the halfway line on his debut, Ten Hag went risk-averse, injuries piled up, and Onana played like a barely functioning part in a completely broken machine.

Before the start of this season, he told fans to expect more risks, and vs Brentford, he showed the best facets of his game.

The opponents have already stopped pressing Onana so he's gained that respect in their eyes which he used to have at Inter Milan.

Against Brentford, he showed the next logical evolution by pinging quick, long kicks toward last-man runners to fashion chances from goal kicks.

Diogo Dalot was the beneficiary here as he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper after getting on the end of Onana's passes.

Ten Hag has finally started using Onana as a part of the buildup and the Cameroonian routinely leaves his box to give United an extra man.

Onana's shot-saving has also been better than advertised and with long passing also becoming a part of his repertoire now, United can lay claim to finally having one of the best goalkeepers in the league in their squad.

Erik ten Hag needs to keep backing Onana It goes without saying, and Onana accepted it too, that his way of playing comes with risks attached.

Some day, he will get chipped again or his pass in the buildup will be intercepted from which United will concede.

However, United need to commit to a style of play and Onana is a big part of it, which is why they need to live with those errors if they are not regular because the eventual reward makes it worth it.

A settled and confident goalkeeper is the spine of the team and De Gea's last perfect season for the club was arguably under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when he finished second.

Since then, mistakes crept in his game and subsequently, Onana also took one year to settle at Old Trafford.

Now, it looks like that transition has finally been completed and Onana looks worth every pound spent on him and more.

Related Posts