Manchester United’s new $57 Million goalkeeper Andre Onana has fallen short when compared to the club’s former goalkeeper and Premier League’s Golden Glove winner David de Gea. In the first four games, de Gea conceded only two goals, while Onana conceded seven. David had two clean sheets, while Onana had only one. The save percentage for the former United goalkeeper was eighty-three percent. The Cameroonian has a save ratio of sixty-eight percent.
Much of these can be attributed to the current formation and playing style of Manchester United under Erik ten Hag. Erik ten Hag knows the player from his time at Ajax. However, there are a couple of areas where Andre Onana looks a bit decent. The goalkeeper’s total passes are higher when compared to De Gea. The Cameroonian has a hundred and four total passes in comparison to sixty-six of De Gea in the first four matches.
De Gea 🆚 Onana pic.twitter.com/DyibavbtB6
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 6, 2023
Adding to this, the goalkeeper has a respectable passing accuracy of seventy-five percent. The player looks comfortable in playing out from the back. But there’s still a lot to ponder when it comes to his decision-making in certain periods of a game. The Cameroonian joined the Red Devils in July 2023 on a five-year deal. There is an option for an extension of up to twelve months in his contract.
The former Inter Milan goalkeeper has looked a bit unsure of certain characteristics of his game. In the United’s season opener against Wolves, the goalkeeper came out of his area and ended up not getting to the ball. The twenty-seven-year-old goalkeeper ended up taking out both of the Wolves’ strikers. Though the VAR turned the incident as no penalty during the match, later an apology was sent to the Wolves’ hierarchy, as it was concluded to be a penalty.
Previous most successful goalkeepers at Manchester United
One of the most versatile and successful Manchester United goalkeepers was Peter Schmeichel. The Danish goalkeeper made a name for himself by his performances in the Premier League. The veteran had a total of three hundred and ninety-eight appearances for the Red Devils with a hundred and eighty clean sheets to his name.
Edwin van der Sar was another United’s successful goalkeeper. Edwin represented the Manchester-based side for two hundred and sixty-six matches. The Dutch goalkeeper kept a total of hundred and thirty-five clean sheets.
The United States goalkeeper Tim Howard played only seventy-seven matches for Manchester United, but the player boosted of an impressive thirty-one clean sheets during his tenure. Howard was very highly ranked among the other Premier League goalkeepers present at that time.
