Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that Andre Onana is the second-best goalkeeper in the Premier League, with the Dutchman launching a strong defence of his number one.
Onana, 27, was again heavily criticised for his performance against Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday, with the Cameroonian arguably at fault for all three of the home side's goals.
The summer arrival from Inter Milan has conceded 14 times in the Champions League this season, while he has shipped 16 goals in the Premier League.
Onana has produced five clean sheets in England's top flight, though, and he has not conceded a goal in the league since the Manchester derby at the end of October.
The Cameroon international is again set to start against Newcastle United on Saturday evening, and Ten Hag has heavily defended the under-fire stopper, insisting that he is the second-best goalkeeper in the division.
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"If you analyse it well then you see he is the second-best goalkeeper in the Premier League based on stats," Ten Hag told reporters during his press conference ahead of the trip to St James' Park. "His expected preventing goals is second-best in the Premier League.
"He's doing well but he knows that in the Champions League he has made some mistakes. But all over in the first five months, he has done well.
"You have seen how he is reacting on a bad performance like he did after Munich. At Burnley, he was outstanding. He is a strong character, he is a personality and he will deal with it."
Onana is behind Luton Town's Thomas Kaminski for goals prevented in the Premier League this season, while he is also second for saves made and save percentage.
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Man United will be aiming to make it five wins from their last six Premier League matches when they travel to Newcastle on Saturday evening.
"I really respect them, it's a difficult team to play but it's a good challenge and I like to play against, we have to rise to the occasion, be on our best against them because the way they play is very organised," said Ten Hag when asked about the clash with the Magpies.
Man United face a tough task to qualify for the knockout round of the Champions League, while they have already been eliminated from the EFL Cup, losing at Old Trafford to Newcastle.
However, the Red Devils have moved up into sixth position in the Premier League table due to their excellent form and now sit just four points off fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Ten Hag's side have three straight league fixtures against Newcastle, Chelsea and Bournemouth before welcoming Bayern Munich to Old Trafford for a must-win Champions League fixture on December 12.
Matt Law
