Ten Hag: 'Onana is the second best goalkeeper in the Premier League'

Coach Erik ten Hag continues to defend and even praise Andre Onana as the second best goalkeeper in the Premier League, even though he just made a mistake that put Man Utd at risk of being eliminated from the Champions League group stage.

"If you analyse, Onana is the second best goalkeeper in the Premier League, based on the stats," Ten Hag said on December 1 at a press conference ahead of the Premier League match against Newcastle. "So Onana is doing well. He knows he made some mistakes in the Champions League. But overall, in the first five months, Onana is doing very well."

Onana was disappointed after the 3-3 draw at Galatasaray's Ali Sami Yen Stadium on November 29. Photo: Reuters — Onana was disappointed after the 3-3 draw at Galatasaray's Ali Sami Yen Stadium on November 29. Photo: *Reuters*

Ten Hag defended his performance by pointing to the statistics that Onana is third in expected saves per game (0.28) and expected saves over the first 13 games (3.67). Only Bournemouth's Neto (0.32) and Luton Town's Thomas Kaminski (0.48) in the first stat, and only Kaminski (6.3) in the second, are better than Onana. The Cameroon goalkeeper has also kept five clean sheets over the first 13 games - the highest in the league - and has not made a single error leading to a shot.

But Onana has been criticised for his poor performances in the Champions League. Since the 2018-19 Champions League, Onana has made seven errors leading to goals - the highest number in the competition. Most recently, the 27-year-old goalkeeper conceded two goals from Hakim Ziyech's weak free-kicks in the 3-3 draw at Galatasaray in midweek.

However, Ten Hag hinted that he would continue to give Onana the starting position, rather than reserve goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, for the trip to St James' Park. "After a poor performance in Munich, you saw how Onana reacted in the next game against Burnley. He was excellent," said the Dutch coach. "Onana has quality, a strong personality and will stand up straight away."

Onana in the situation of conceding the second goal in the match between Man Utd and Galatasaray on November 39. Photo: Reuters — Onana in the situation of conceding the second goal in the match between Man Utd and Galatasaray on November 39. Photo: *Reuters*

The draw with Galatasaray left Man Utd at the bottom of Group A and no longer had the right to decide their place in the round of 16. To continue, the "Red Devils" must beat Bayern and the remaining match between Copenhagen and Galatasaray ended in a draw in the final round on December 12.

Ten Hag stressed that he has not thought about the match against Bayern and wants to focus on the away match against Newcastle in the Premier League. The Dutch coach respects and evaluates Newcastle as a difficult opponent, well-organized and always plays with full strength at home.

Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia are still absent, Mason Mount returned to training on December 1 but it is still unclear when the English midfielder can return. "There are players recovering but I cannot give a specific time frame," Ten Hag admitted.

Casemiro's injury opens up a starting opportunity for Kobbie Mainoo - the rough diamond born in 2005 shone in the 3-0 win at Everton in round 13 of the Premier League and continued to impress in the draw with Galatasaray. Ten Hag praised his student for his good movement, vision, good decision-making and readiness to compete for a starting position.

Hong Duy

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