Manchester United’s winning streak was halted at Selhurst Park but Erik ten Hag can be forgiven for thinking that this performance deserved much more.
Crystal Palace were under the cosh for most of the game, especially the first half, where Manchester United created chance after chance but spurned them all.
Still, in the long run, results almost always match the performances so the hope will be that the goals come eventually.
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Till then, United need heroes to step up and make moments count. The forwards didn’t do it this game but Peter Schmeichel has picked out one Man United player who has been stepping up and winning points this season.
Peter Schmeichel gushes about Man Utd ace
Manchester United scored ten goals in their last two games before this goalless draw vs Palace so the forwards have been generating all the headlines.
However, all of United’s recent surge can be traced back to a single moment vs Southampton after which it seemed like everything clicked.
Andre Onana was the protagonist of that moment then, and today, despite United having the lion’s share of possession, chances, shots, and moments, Schmeichel again gushed about the Cameroonian.
That is because even though United were in the ascendancy for most of the game, it can be argued that the best chance of the game fell to Palace.
In the 65th minute, Palace had a remarkable double chance. Eddie Nketiah tested Onana with a drive which he pushed away but Ismaila Sarr was ready on the follow-up.
Onana repelled it from point-blank range as he quickly recovered from the initial save to keep the game goalless.
Schmeichel was in awe of that moment and the general trend of the goalkeeper’s performances this season.
He said: “That is the job of a Manchester United goalkeeper. You have to be ready for that moment and Onana was. He has been stepping up and winning points for his team for many games now.”
Erik ten Hag agrees with Schmeichel
The Manchester United manager agreed with the Dane’s comments while talking to the media after the game. He agreed that Onana’s double save was crucial.
He said: “That is very difficult for a goalie to be there in the moment. Andre has to wait, keep focus, and at the right moment he did brilliantly.”
With a stable backline ahead of him and the team playing in a more cohesive manner generally, Onana’s best attributes have come to the fore in the past few games.
He flourishes with his ball-playing skills when United build from the back, while his reflex saves on the odd moment the ball does arrive are quickly becoming a trademark quality.
Having suffered a true baptism of fire in his first season at Old Trafford, the road ahead looks sunny and positive for the Cameroonian.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/SIWyDHU