Onana has a higher save rate per game than De Gea, but De Gea excels in passing accuracy and long passes.
While De Gea was a phenomenal shot-stopper in his prime, it remains to be seen if Onana can meet the expectations set for him and enhance the team’s performance.
Taking over from De Gea, who had been the goalkeeper at Old Trafford for over a decade, Onana faced a challenging start at Manchester United after De Gea’s contract expired earlier this year, leaving the club without a new team.
The Spanish goalkeeper’s difficulties in playing the ball out from the back led to some Manchester United fans voicing dissatisfaction.
Manager Erik ten Hag’s emphasis on playing out from the back further highlighted this issue, with supporters suggesting that the 32-year-old was hindering the team’s progress.
Onana emerged as the top choice to replace De Gea after showcasing exceptional skills in this aspect during the Champions League final.
Ten Hag’s existing rapport with the former Inter Milan goalkeeper further solidified his selection.
As of now, the 2023–24 Premier League season has only seen five games played, and Onana’s start as Manchester United’s goalkeeper hasn’t gone according to plan.
The team has conceded ten goals in five games, placing them among the league’s highest conceders. This translates to an average of two goals conceded per game, with only one clean sheet against Wolves.
De Gea, on the other hand, recorded 17 clean sheets in his final season with Manchester United, earning him the “Golden Glove” award.
While Onana has shown moments of brilliance, his performances have been inconsistent, especially given the team’s poor start to the season.
During a match against Nottingham Forest, Onana made an unusual attempt to save a shot, which resulted in a goal for the opposition. Additionally, he failed to stop a shot from Leroy Sané, allowing the ball to bounce into the net.
Comparing the two goalkeepers’ performances, De Gea had a higher passing accuracy and excelled in long passes during the 2022/23 season, while Onana has struggled with longer range passing.
Despite making more saves per game than De Gea, Onana faces more shots on target on average, indicating defensive vulnerabilities.
