Pep Guardiola has spoken highly of Manchester United’s Andre Onana, who is expected to take his usual role between the sticks at Old Trafford on Sunday for the Manchester derby.
The Cameroonian has endured a problematic start to life at United, which has seen him heavily criticised by pundits and rival fans.
However, he is on the back of the most pivotal save of his Red Devils career so far; his last-gasp heroics saw him save Jordan Larsson’s penalty in the injury time of Tuesday’s Champions League clash vs Copenhagen. It was a must-win contest for United and without Onana, they may as well have waved goodbye to their chances of European progression.
He’ll now be keen to build on the emphatic save with a high-quality performance against City this weekend. Keeping their prolific attackers at bay is a task that almost every other Premier League ‘keeper has failed at, but supporters will certainly be holding more faith in their shot-stopper this time out.
The last time Onana faced the Blues was in the Champions League final, which ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat for Inter Milan. The 27-year-old was undoubtedly Inter’s star man on the night and Guardiola was quick to laud his performance after the full-time whistle, saying that the game would’ve been easier if Onana had not played.
Guardiola on ‘exceptional’ Onana
Now, as the manager prepares his side for the M16 trip, he weighed in on Onana’s transfer via Manchester Evening News.
“He’s an exceptional player,” Guardiola began. “Now at United, everyone needs time [to adapt to the Premier League], not just the managers but players, keepers, everyone. Sometimes people are quicker but I have a high opinion of him as a keeper.
“Hopefully not [a repeat of his Champions League final performance]. Hopefully, we can beat him, but before the game, I always expect the best of the players we are going to face.
“I prefer to see the strengths than the weaknesses they have. He saved a pen in the last minute which helped them to stay in contention to qualify for the last 16. Mentally it’s a good boost for them.”
Pep has started with his mind games approach