Bruno Fernandes stepped up in the nick of time for Manchester United as the captain’s last-minute goal secured a 1-0 win over Fulham that will ease the pressure on under-fire manager Erik ten Hag somewhat.
Erik ten Hag give reasons to support claims that Andre Onana is the ‘second best goalkeeper’ in the Premier League
Andre Onana is the second-best goalkeeper in the Premier League, according to Erik ten Hag.
During a press conference held prior to the upcoming action this weekend, Ten Hag immediately jumped to the defense of his under-fire goalie.
Following his summer transfer to Old Trafford, the former Inter goalie has come under fire. After United’s 3-3 draw with Galatasaray on Wednesday, interest in the Cameroonian goalkeeper intensified.
In fact, all three of the goals that United let up may be attributed to Onana.
Onana is, statistically speaking, the second-best goalkeeper in the Premier League, according to Ten Hag.
The Dutchman said: “If you analyse it well then you see he is the second-best goalkeeper in the Premier League based on stats, his expected preventing goals is second-best in the Premier League.”
The statistic Ten Hag is referring to appears to be ‘goals prevented’, with Luton’s Thomas Kaminski top of the standings and Onana in second.
Ten Hag continued: “Onana is doing well but he knows that in the Champions League he has made some mistakes but all over in the first five months he has done well.
“On Wednesday, we played very good, also in Copenhagen. Even in Bayern Munich we played very good.
“But we have to do some things better. Eliminate individual errors, transition but we can sort this out and I would be more concerned if we didn’t play well.”
On Onana, Ten Hag added: “You know also. You have seen how he is reacting on a bad performance like in Munich. At Burnley he was outstanding. He is a strong character, he is a personality and he will deal with it.”
While Onana’s domestic form continues to improve, he has made a spate of errors in the Champions League.
In fact, since 2018-19, he has made the most errors leading to opposition goals by goalkeepers in Europe’s premier competition, with seven costly mistakes.
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Erik ten Hag speaks about parallels comparison on new idol Alejandro Garnacho with Ronaldo and Rooney
Alejandro Garnacho’s incredible goal was praised by Erik ten Hag as the season’s best.
However, the Manchester United manager advised against making comparisons between the gifted young player and players like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo just yet. Yesterday at Goodison Park, Garnacho, 19, struck an incredible overhead kick to help United defeat Everton.
“There are still many games to play in the season, but maybe we’ve already reached the goal,” Ten Hag stated. Not only was the finish amazing, but so was the journey back to the finish.
After that, the Dutchman was asked to draw comparisons between Garnacho and past United greats Ronaldo and Rooney, who had both produced incredible overhead kicks during their careers. However, he remarked, “I don’t think it’s proper to compare.
They are all unique individuals, but Garnacho needs to put in a lot of work and progress before he can get that far. He hasn’t done it consistently thus far, which is required. Yet he undoubtedly have a great deal of potential for incredible things.
What do you believe Garnacho’s playing potential is? Tell us in the space provided for comments.
Football legends Wayne Rooney [L] and Cristiano Ronaldo [R] were once youthful Man United talents.
Erik ten Hag was keen to play down the comparisons
United got their second from the spot as out-of-form Marcus Rashford took penalty duties from Bruno Fernandes to get just his second of the season after Ashley Young brought down Anthony Martial.
Ten Hag added: “You see also how great captain Bruno is. He assessed that his team-mate needed that goal.
“He has the confidence in Rashy, who is a good penalty taker. As a team you need that leadership that you back each other.”
Erik ten Hag thinks Alejandro Garnacho has potential to “do some amazing things”
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Martial got the third with 15 minutes to go to finish off the game as United moved four points off the Champions League places. Everton boss Dyche was left to rue the VAR intervention for the penalty after referee John Brooks had initially booked Martial for diving before reviewing it on screen.
He said: “The screen thing is a farce, everyone is talking about speeding the game up and they go over to the screen and we all know what the outcome is.”
Also read…
Man Utd player ratings vs Fulham: Bruno Fernandes finds a vital late winner – but concerns around Antony and Christian Eriksen remain
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United would have felt aggrieved had they not won after Scott McTominay had an early goal controversially ruled out after Harry Maguire was adjudged to be offside and interfering with play despite failing to make contact with Christian Eriksen’s free-kick in the build-up.
From there, the Red Devils created little of note, and were indebted to goalkeeper Andre Onana, who made two quickfire saves to deny Harry Wilson and Joao Palhinha just after the hour mark as Marco Silva’s side looked to take the initiative.
That was as close as the home side came, however, and it was left to Fernandes to produce the decisive moment, as his low shot from the edge of the penalty area made its way into the bottom corner as Bernd Leno tried in vain to keep it out.
GOAL rates United’s players from Craven Cottage…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Andre Onana (7/10):
Barely called upon until the middle of the second half, but made strong saves from both Wilson and Palhinha. Distribution continues to improve.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (6/10):
Looked half-a-yard off it at times in his first start since recovering from injury. Made a couple of vital interventions, though.
Harry Maguire (6/10):
Questions will be asked of whether he should have stayed on amid concern for a head injury, but put a solid shift in defensively while trying to spark attacks while in possession.
Jonny Evans (6/10):
Fulham didn’t offer much of a threat but the veteran stood up well to what was thrown at him.
Diogo Dalot (6/10):
Bounced back from his dreadful showing in midweek and combined well with Garnacho down the left. Excellent clearance denied Wilson a clear shot on goal in the first half.
- Getty Images
Midfield
Christian Eriksen (3/10):
A real concern. Constantly gave the ball away in midfield and then didn’t have the pace to get back and stop Fulham counter-attacks. Set-piece delivery just about the only plus point.
Scott McTominay (7/10):
Unfortunate to have his early goal ruled out for offside, but didn’t let it affect him. Energetic presence caused problems in attack and worked hard defensively.
Bruno Fernandes (7/10):
Not able to have the influence on the game that United needed for much of the afternoon, but popped up with the last-minute winner to send the away fans into raptures.
- Getty Images
Attack
Antony (3/10):
Continues to offer next to nothing. Wasteful when in good attacking positions while he might as well not have bothered when it came to his defensive responsibilities. Surely must be running out of chances.
Rasmus Hojlund (5/10):
Received next to no service, and thus his reaction to being substituted can be understood. Tried to hold the ball up when asked to, but needs more help from those around him.
Alejandro Garnacho (7/10):
Bright on his return to the ground where he truly announced himself last season and unfortunate his controlled assist for McTominay’s disallowed goal was ruled out. Probably deserves more starting opportunities going forward.
- Getty Images
Subs & Manager
Facundo Pellistri (7/10):
Replaced Antony and produced some nice touches and got a shot in on goal. Determination to win the ball deep in the Fulham half eventually led to United’s winner.
Mason Mount (5/10):
First touch was a misplaced through-ball for Garnacho, which just about sums up his United career so far.
Anthony Martial (6/10):
Saw an acrobatic volley drop just wide shortly after replacing Hojlund for the final 10 minutes.
Raphael Varane (N/A):
On in injury-time to help shore up the defence.
Erik ten Hag (4/10):
The win was there for the taking but Ten Hag’s inability to set up a functional midfield and insistence on picking Antony left United short of cutting edge. Got out of jail by his captain Fernandes.
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