Champions League hits and misses: Harry Maguire and Andre Onana’s turning points at Manchester United | Football News

Could Onana’s penalty heroics prove a turning point for United No 1?

There isn’t a doubt the highlight has been properly and actually on new Man Utd goalkeeper Andre Onana after what can solely be described as a shaky begin to his Previous Trafford profession.

The Cameroon worldwide was meant to be the person to deliver stability again to the No 1 place at United after David de Gea’s decline in kind throughout his previous few years on the membership, arriving final summer season from Inter Milan in a £47.2m deal with an enormous status.

Nonetheless, it’s truthful to say Onana has up to now did not stay as much as expectations at United after plenty of high-profile gaffes within the first two months of the marketing campaign, with every pricey error rising the strain on the 24-year-old.

That’s till Tuesday night time when Onana got here to United’s rescue with what might turn into vastly important – a stoppage-time penalty save to protect his facet’s 1-0 lead over FC Copenhagen in a must-win sport in Group A for Erik ten Hag’s facet.

Not only for United, although, however the participant himself, who could look again on that second in years to come back as being the turning level in each United’s and his personal season.
Richard Morgan

Maguire’s moment as Ten Hag highlights improvement

If Onana has endured a clumsy begin to his Manchester United profession, Harry Maguire’s time within the shirt had appeared all however over previous to the damage disaster that has allowed him a path again into the workforce. The England man deserves credit score for seizing that likelihood.

Targets can cloud the narrative with defenders however this was about greater than the winner that he scored to safe Manchester United’s first factors of the Champions League season. There was a change in his sport, one acknowledged by Erik ten Hag afterwards.

“He’s taking part in rather more proactive in possession, stepping in, passing vertically, defending additionally on the entrance foot, defending ahead, very assured within the duels, I believe he’s dominating in the proper manner together with his aggression towards opponents.”

There was an instance of that simply earlier than his breakthrough aim, speeding ahead to beat his marker to the ball and maintain the assault for his workforce. It drew a constructive response from the Previous Trafford crowd, lastly some constructive power for Maguire to feed off.

There’s a lengthy technique to go. His solely begin this season previous to this run of video games towards Brentford, Sheffield United and FC Copenhagen got here at house to Crystal Palace within the Carabao Cup. Greater exams await, beginning with Manchester Metropolis on Sunday.
Adam Bate

Arsenal can’t afford to lose Jesus to injury

An excellent flip and a defence-splitting go for Arsenal’s first, then a superb curling end for the second, Gabriel Jesus regarded like somebody at house within the Champions League and his report, you’ll be able to’t be shocked.

The Brazilian made it 23 targets in 41 appearances in Europe’s premier membership competitors – together with 14 aim contributions in his final 17 Champions League begins – throughout Arsenal’s vital Champions League win in Sevilla and his important expertise was on present in Spain.

Keep in mind, that is nonetheless a younger Arsenal voyaging on unchartered waters. Even the strong-headed stars like Bukayo Saka are taking part in of their first Champions League marketing campaign, Gabriel Martinelli even made his debut within the competitors on Tuesday night time.

However what was the proper tonic for these younger attacking stars? Jesus placing it on a plate for Martinelli late within the first half, earlier than the Arsenal No 9 confirmed his fellow Brazilian how massive moments are executed in model at this stage. And that is three targets in three Champions League group video games this season.

However what was the proper tonic for these younger attacking stars? Jesus placing it on a plate for Martinelli late within the first half, earlier than the Arsenal No 9 confirmed his fellow Brazilian how massive moments are executed in model at this stage. And that is three targets in three Champions League group video games this season.

These margins are important, which is why Jesus’ hamstring damage scare is an actual “concern” for Arsenal, as Mikel Arteta put it. Jesus can’t miss one other chunk of a Premier League title race, his expertise is just too priceless.
Sam Blitz

Gunners dig deep to claim win in Seville

In the long run it was an enormous win for Arsenal however my goodness it was edgy at instances – significantly in these ultimate few moments of the sport.

Arsenal had been gradual out of the blocks once more – however Sevilla could not take benefit. Martinelli’s glorious end earlier than half-time calmed just a few nerves and Arsenal regarded in management after Jesus’ marvel strike. That was till a set-piece price them once more.

Within the build-up, Arteta and midfielder Jorginho talked about controlling their feelings on this hostile atmosphere and the necessity to dig deep to come back via an actual check. “There have been moments once we had been very dominant after which we needed to endure, and it’s a necessity to endure to win a sport,” the Arsenal supervisor mentioned after the sport.

Given Arsenal’s report in Europe in Spain going into this one – that they had misplaced 5 out of their final six earlier than this sport – the win looks like an enormous second for this group.
Gail Davis in Seville