Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who could be decisive in Matchday 33.
Player Analysis – Andre Onana (Man Utd)
If recent patterns continue, Manchester United goalkeeper Onana will be busy at AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.
In their last 10 Premier League matches, Erik ten Hag’s side have been remarkably relaxed out of possession, conceding a staggering 237 shots.
Many of them were oddballs or blocked, but 65 hit the target, with Onana making a remarkable 48 saves.
Without his excellent shooting during this demanding period, Man Utd would surely have collected less than the 17 points they did.
Keeping them in the running for European football in 2024/25, Onana is sure to be a key man once again at the Vitality Stadium.
Impressive first season
Very few of Ten Hag’s squad will look back on 2023/24 fondly, but Onana can hold his head high.
He experienced some difficult times early in the season while acclimating to his new surroundings, but his overall performance levels have been impressive.
His comfort playing from the back was the main reason why Onana was identified as David De Gea’s successor, and while that aspect of his game has shone, it is his saving skills that have shone most.
His reflexes are superb, clearing a number of efforts and his penchant for catching the ball while making a save has also caught the eye.
Only Emiliano Martinez and Jose Sa, with 36 and 32 respectively, have caught more shots than Onana’s 30, who will also be happy to finish in the top five in the league in save percentage.
Goalkeepers with a better save ratio of 23/24
Player | Savings ratio |
---|---|
Alison | 74.32% |
Nick Pope | 73.58% |
Alphonse Areola | 72.90% |
Andre Onana | 71.95% |
Caoimhin Kelleher | 71.79% |
* Min. 10 starts
Interestingly, Onana is the only goalkeeper from this reserve list to appear in arguably the most important goalkeeper category. targets that are prevented.
Excluding penalties and own goals conceded, he has conceded a further 5.7 goals against United so far this season, according to Opta.
Most goals prevented 23/24
Player | Goals prevented |
---|---|
William Vicario | 7 |
Andre Onana | 5.7 |
Jose Sa | 5.6 |
Emiliano Martinez | 5.6 |
Netto | 3.9 |
Of the 38 goalkeepers who have saved at least one shot on goal, only 17 have prevented more goals than they were expected to concede, with the rest having less ground.
Two Premier League debutants top this honors list, with Tottenham Hotspur’s Guglielmo Vicario and Onana leading the way.
Bournemouth stopper Neto has also been a big influence and is enjoying a superb season.
Being busy
One of the most surprising statistics of this 2023/24 season is that despite entering this weekend sixth in the table, only Sheffield United, with 560, have faced more shots than Man Utd’s 554.
Also having the third highest number of expected goals against, Onana has been extremely active.
A superb reaction to deny Erling Haaland from close range at Old Trafford and his superb low dip to his right to keep out Brentford’s Mads Roerslev’s effort are two standout moments (see below).
![Onana save against Roerslev](https://resources.premierleague.com/photos/2024/04/12/3610e4f1-3bb2-46ae-bded-c486b496af63/Onana-save-v-Roerslev.jpg?width=1400&height=800)
![Onana save against Roerslev](https://resources.premierleague.com/photos/2024/04/12/3610e4f1-3bb2-46ae-bded-c486b496af63/Onana-save-v-Roerslev.jpg?width=1400&height=800)
But throughout the season, Onana has consistently kept his team in games with his agility.
He quickly got down to make some difficult stops at his feet, but many of his key moments also came when Onana stood his ground, reacting quickly to shots that were aimed a little higher in the frame of the goal.
Below is a visual representation of the saves he has made, along with the goals he has conceded.
![Andre Onana](https://resources.premierleague.com/photos/2024/04/12/7c739810-c572-4240-85e7-72ce2e50caf9/player_shot-placement-map-16x9.png?width=1400&height=800)
![Andre Onana](https://resources.premierleague.com/photos/2024/04/12/7c739810-c572-4240-85e7-72ce2e50caf9/player_shot-placement-map-16x9.png?width=1400&height=800)
Test with cherries
United make the long trip south in a bid to avenge their 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth at Old Trafford in December.
A couple of turnovers and a header from a corner humbled the Red Devils on the day, with an exposed Onana unable to stop three clinical finishes.
When he joined from Internazionale Milano, Onana would not have expected to be the Premier League goalkeeper with the most saves after 31 appearances, but he should be proud and confident of the way he has responded.
Shots on goal / saves / goals conceded
Player | Shots on target | It stores | Goals conceded |
---|---|---|---|
Thomas Kaminski | 180 | 119 | 65 |
Wes Foderingham | 169 | 108 | 63 |
James Trafford | 168 | 106 | 62 |
Andre Onana | 164 | 120 | 46 |
Byrd Leno | 162 | 112 | 51 |
If United’s work in front of him does not improve solidity, Onana will find himself in the eye of another storm this weekend.
Having scored in 10 of their last 11 matches, Bournemouth contain plenty of goal threats, but United will take comfort in having the agile Onana as their last line of defence.