Onana to come face-to-face with fan in Manchester derby after Man Utd lift-off
After a difficult few months, finally, Andre Onana experienced his first breakout moment in a Manchester United shirt in midweek.
The Cameroon international, 27, has struggled to make a positive impression at Old Trafford since joining the club for £47.2million in the summer, mainly due to a string of embarrassing errors that have cost United both goals and points.
However, a dramatic last-gasp penalty save in the 1-0 win over FC Copenhagen on Tuesday night could be the catalyst for Onana's fortunes to change. And there would be no better way for the former Inter Milan shot-stopper to follow that up than another standout performance in the Manchester derby.
United host their noisy neighbours on Sunday looking to get one over on the reigning Premier League champions, who emerged victorious in two of the three meetings that took place between City and United last year. And ironically for Onana, who has been chastised by fans and pundits alike this season, he'll come face-to-face with one of his biggest fans.
Given Onana showed all the attributes coveted in a modern-day goalkeeper, it should come as no surprise that Pep Guardiola is a big fan of the former Inter Milan star. In fact, Guardiola even pinpointed Onana as one of Inter's most dangerous players prior to Manchester City 's Champions League triumph earlier this year.
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Speaking ahead of City's showdown with Inter back in June, Guardiola said: "For the way they play, with the high press, Onana is an exceptional goalkeeper to take the position to build up. Really, really good.
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Pep Guardiola made it clear he is a big fan of Andre Onana before the Champions League final back in June (Michael Regan/UEFA)"All the processes they do… with Bastoni on the left side especially, is exceptional. The quality to link with the strikers, the ability for an extra pass. We have to try to defend, I don't know how, but defend these connections. With the ball, try to attack. Difficult against five at the back, we have to try to find a solution to be more effective to find a solution."
Unfortunately, Manchester United fans have only seen glimpses of the player Guardiola lauded. And while goodwill may have been wearing thin prior to the dramatic Copenhagen finale, Onana's Old Trafford career finally has lift-off.
Whether he will sink or swim at United remains to be seen. His return to the international fold with Cameroon could, ironically, lead to a remarkable return for David de Gea, according to the latest round of reports. That would be an almost ironic development considering the majority of fans and pundits were clamouring for De Gea to be replaced due to - you guessed it - a string of high-profile clangers.
An error against City in his final match, the FA Cup final no less, ensured there was no realistic way back for De Gea at Old Trafford - certainly not as a No.1, although United could turn to him to provide back-up in their hour of need.
Onana isn't quite at a similar crossroads yet, but the pressure is building on him. He needs to build on that breakout moment at Copenhagen if he is to remain in credit at Manchester United - downing Guardiola and co would certainly do the trick.
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