Manchester United could not find a way past 20323/24 Golden Glove winner David Raya against Arsenal, who kept another clean sheet.
At the other end, Andre Onana could only reflect on how Manchester United’s woeful defence this season meant he never really had a chance of accomplishing the same feat.
Onana has conceded 56 Premier League goals, with Manchester United currently possessing a woeful -4 Goal Difference.
On Sunday against Arsenal he was playing with Casemiro and Jonny Evans in front of him again, Manchester United’s 14th different centre-back partnership this season. Arsenal have only had three.
Andre Onana makes more incredible saves
First up, let’s get the goal conceded out the way. Andre Onana played the ball out from the back, only for United to lose it upfield. Casemiro had failed to push up, and played Arsenal’s attackers onside.
It was easily avoidable, and the kind of error you will get with a central midfielder playing as an emergency centre-back.
It’s the fourth league game in a row now, one of which was the1-1 draw with Burnley, in which Onana made a superb stop which won the Premier League ‘save of the month’.
The league’s X account described Andre Onana’s save as one which ‘defied logic’.
Andre Onana made two more remarkable diving saves against Arsenal, one of which was particularly impressive to deny Gabriel Martinelli.
In the second half in particular he looked unbeatable, and it was just a shame Manchester United’s attack could not perform with the same conviction at the other end and claim a point.
Manchester United fans impressed with Onana saves, frustrated with goal
Manchester United fans had a lot to say about Andre Onana’s performance against Arsenal, praising the improvement of the Cameroon stopper.
One fan wrote: “Onana lacks defence, if he gets serious people in defence he will deliver results.”
Another added: “Onana was man of the match he made so many saves.”
“Onana deserves credit. Those two saves were world class,” another fan wrote.
A fourth fan wrote: “If golden gloves was by number of saves only, Onana would probably be a good contender. He was my man of the match today!”
Another observed: “Onana kept us from conceding more goals. Good display from him.”
But others just couldn’t get past the goal United did concede, pointing out that it could have been avoided with a better choice of pass.
One wrote: “Casemiro was lazy but if Onana plays a better ball the goal doesn’t happen.”
Another asked: “Why did Onana boot the ball straight to their forwards when their defenders were free especially considering how good he is meant to be playing out from the back.”
By now, Manchester United fans have begun to learn what to expect from Onana… the unpredictable.
It’s rarely perfect, there’s an error thrown in, a goal conceded you feel he should save, and then two or three saves he should concede.
Long-term, is the right answer for United? Its too early to tell. Let’s see what he can do with a settled defence in front of him.