Prior to Manchester City’s match against Manchester United, the manager of Manchester City once again singled out Andre Onana for appreciation during the goalkeeper’s tenure at Inter Milan.
Before Sunday’s 191st Manchester Derby, Pep Guardiola anticipates that Andre Onana’s midweek penalty save would bring his team a much-needed psychological lift.
Tuesday night, Manchester United defeated FC Copenhagen 1-0 in the Champions League thanks to a brilliant performance by Onana. The 27-year-old maintained his clean sheet and made sure all three points stayed at Old Trafford by standing firm and stopping Jordan Larsson’s added-time spot-kick with a powerful hand.
Onana has struggled to adjust to life in England after moving here in the summer after signing a £47.2 million transfer from Inter Milan. He has also made a number of mistakes. The Cameroon international has struggled with the ball at his feet and appeared unconfident in recent weeks.
Prior to the Champions League final victory against Inter last season, Guardiola singled out Onana, and the City manager is still a big supporter. He thinks the heroics on Tuesday will give them more confidence, but he hopes that by Sunday, it won’t matter.
“I remember we have a common friend who spoke very highly of him but personally I met him in Amsterdam,” Guardiola said of Onana. “He’s an exceptional player and 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 weakness 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.”