Erik ten Hag is finally using the skills of the Man Utd star he was signed for, he must continue to back him

However, the match against Brentford offers something to build on, with many heroes emerging, such as Alejandro Garnacho shining brightly, or the warrior-like mentality of Matthijs de Ligt.

Among all the heroes, one man’s contribution remained under the radar, because this has become the new normal for him.

Only this time it seems sustainable with the skill for which he was initially brought in by Erik ten Hag. Brentford was a clear example of this.

Andre Onana is feeling confident

It’s worth remembering that David de Gea left Old Trafford as the reigning winner of the Golden Glove award, showing he still had the reflexes to play in the Premier League.

What worked against him, however, was Ten Hag’s insistence on getting a ‘more modern’ goalkeeper who could play with his feet and sweep balls behind the defense.

Andre Onana came in and it was immediately expected that he would become an important part of the build-up.

The exact opposite happened when he was chipped from the halfway line on his debut, Ten Hag was risk-averse, injuries piled up and Onana played like a barely functioning role in a completely broken machine.

Before the start of the season he told fans to expect more risks, and against Brentford he showed the best facets of his game.

The opponents have already stopped putting pressure on Onana, so he has gained the respect in their eyes that he used to have at Inter Milan.

Against Brentford he showed the next logical evolution by delivering quick, long kicks towards last man runners to create chances from goal kicks.

Diogo Dalot was the beneficiary here, as he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper after getting on the end of Onana’s passes.

Ten Hag has finally started using Onana as part of the build-up and the Cameroonian routinely leaves his penalty area to give United an extra man.

Onana’s saves were also better than advertised and with long passes becoming part of his repertoire, United can finally lay claim to having one of the best goalkeepers in the league in their squad.

Erik ten Hag must continue to support Onana

It goes without saying, and Onana also accepted it, that his way of playing involves risks.

One day he will be chipped again or his pass will be intercepted in the build-up, from which United will concede.

However, United must adopt a certain playing style and Onana plays a major role in that. Therefore, they have to live with those mistakes if they don’t play regularly because the eventual reward makes it worth it.

A steady and confident goalkeeper is the backbone of the team and De Gea’s last perfect season for the club was probably under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when he finished second.

Since then, mistakes have crept into his game and Onana also needed a year to establish himself at Old Trafford.

Now it seems that transition has finally been completed and Onana seems worth every pound spent on him and more.

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