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Andre Onana: Manchester United’s Goalkeeper Shining in Stats but Facing Challenges
In a recent interview, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has made a bold claim, stating that goalkeeper Andre Onana is currently the Premier League’s second-best goalkeeper, and he’s basing this assertion on statistical data. Despite a couple of hiccups, Onana’s numbers are speaking for themselves, making a compelling case for his place among the league’s elite keepers.
Onana, at the age of 27, faced some criticism after a Champions League match against Galatasaray where he was deemed at fault for two goals, which resulted in a 3-3 draw and left United’s qualification hopes hanging by a thread. However, when you look at the broader picture, you’ll find some compelling statistics that support ten Hag’s claim.
Firstly, Onana is currently tied for the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season, boasting five shutouts. That’s no small feat, considering the level of competition in the league.
But what truly sets Onana apart are his stats related to preventing goals. He’s prevented a remarkable 3.67 goals, which is the second-highest in the league. Only Thomas Kaminski of Luton Town surpasses him with 6.3 goals prevented. These statistics are derived from Opta calculations, where actual goals conceded are subtracted from the expected goals on target (xGOT) conceded figures, which take into account the quality of chances for the opponent and shot execution.
Erik ten Hag passionately defended his goalkeeper, stating, “If you analyze it well, then you see he is the second-best goalkeeper in the Premier League based on stats, so his expected defending goals are the second best in the Premier League.” This statement highlights the significance of looking beyond isolated mistakes and considering a goalkeeper’s overall performance.
Onana’s journey at Manchester United began with high expectations when he arrived as a £47.2 million summer signing from Inter Milan, succeeding the legendary David de Gea. Despite a few bumps in the road, ten Hag remains optimistic about his performance, acknowledging that Onana has faced challenges in the Champions League but has shown great resilience elsewhere.
One area where Onana stands out is his ability to contribute to the team’s buildup play. He has made 34 line-breaking passes, ranking third among all goalkeepers in the Champions League. This statistic aligns with ten Hag’s vision of having a ball-playing goalkeeper.
In the Premier League, Onana’s involvement in the game is evident through his 43.7 touches and 25.6 successful passes every 90 minutes, surpassing the involvement of any Manchester United goalkeeper in recent history.
When it comes to keeping the ball out of the net, Onana has conceded 15 goals from 18.67 xGOT conceded in the Premier League, indicating that he is exceeding expectations in this critical aspect of his role.
While Onana’s journey at Manchester United hasn’t been without its challenges, it’s essential to recognize the potential he brings to the team. With his strong character and undeniable talent, there’s every reason to believe that he will continue to grow and excel in the Premier League.
In conclusion, Onana’s statistical performance paints a compelling picture of a goalkeeper who is not just living up to expectations but surpassing them in many aspects of his game. While every player faces their fair share of criticism, it’s clear that Onana has the potential to become one of the Premier League’s top goalkeepers based on the data at hand. As Manchester United prepares to face Newcastle United, fans can expect Onana to continue his quest to solidify his status among the league’s best.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Goalkeeper Performance
Q: Is Andre Onana really the second-best goalkeeper in the Premier League based on stats?
A: According to Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, yes. He’s backing up his claim with statistics like clean sheets and goals prevented, which put Onana among the top goalkeepers in the league.
Q: What are the stats that support Andre Onana’s ranking?
A: Onana has the joint-most clean sheets in the Premier League this season and has prevented an impressive 3.67 goals, second only to Thomas Kaminski of Luton Town.
Q: How is Onana’s performance in the Champions League?
A: While he has faced some challenges in the Champions League, including making errors leading to shots, Onana’s overall performance in the Premier League suggests he’s adapting well to English football.
Q: What sets Onana apart from other goalkeepers?
A: Onana’s ability to contribute to the team’s buildup play with line-breaking passes and his involvement in the game through touches and successful passes make him a unique and valuable asset for Manchester United.
Q: How has Onana exceeded expectations in the Premier League?
A: Onana’s impressive performance is reflected in his goals conceded compared to the expected goals on target conceded (xGOT), where he is outperforming expectations, indicating his effectiveness in keeping the ball out of the net.
Q: What’s next for Andre Onana and Manchester United?
A: As Manchester United continues its campaign, fans can expect Onana to further solidify his position and potentially emerge as one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League based on his current statistics and overall performance.
More about Goalkeeper Performance
- Manchester United Official Website
- Premier League Official Website
- Opta – Sports Statistics Provider
- Champions League Official Website
- Erik ten Hag – Manchester United Manager
- Thomas Kaminski – Luton Town’s Goalkeeper
- David de Gea – Former Manchester United Goalkeeper
- Donny van de Beek – Manchester United Midfielder
- Tyrell Malacia – Manchester United Defender
