Champions League hits and misses: Harry Maguire and Andre Onana’s turning factors at Manchester United | Soccer Information

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

There is no such thing as a doubt the highlight has been nicely and actually on new Man Utd goalkeeper Andre Onana after what can solely be described as a shaky begin to his {Old} 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 couple of years on the membership, arriving final summer time from Inter Milan in a £47.2m deal with an enormous status.

Nevertheless, it’s truthful to say Onana has thus far didn’t reside as much as expectations at United after numerous high-profile gaffes within the first two months of the marketing campaign, with every pricey error rising the stress on the 24-year-old.

That’s till Tuesday evening when Onana got here to United’s rescue with what may grow to be massively important – a stoppage-time penalty save to protect his aspect’s 1-0 lead over FC Copenhagen in a must-win recreation in Group A for Erik ten Hag’s aspect.

Not only for United, although, however the participant himself, who could look again on that second in years to return 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 an ungainly begin to his Manchester United profession, Harry Maguire’s time within the shirt had appeared all however over previous to the harm disaster that has allowed him a path again into the crew. The England man deserves credit score for seizing that probability.

Objectives 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 recreation, one acknowledged by Erik ten Hag afterwards.

“He’s enjoying far 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 best manner together with his aggression in opposition to opponents.”

There was an instance of that simply earlier than his breakthrough purpose, dashing ahead to beat his marker to the ball and maintain the assault for his crew. It drew a Positive response from the {Old} Trafford crowd, lastly some Positive vitality for Maguire to feed off.

There’s a lengthy option to go. His solely begin this season previous to this run of video games in opposition to Brentford, Sheffield United and FC Copenhagen got here at residence to Crystal Palace within the Carabao Cup. Larger 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 move for Arsenal’s first, then an excellent curling end for the second, Gabriel Jesus seemed like somebody at residence within the Champions League and his file, you may’t be shocked.

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

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

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 huge moments are finished in fashion 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 huge moments are finished in fashion at this stage. And that is three targets in three Champions League group video games this season.

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

Gunners dig deep to claim win in Seville

Ultimately it was a giant win for Arsenal however my goodness it was edgy at instances – notably in these last few moments of the sport.

Arsenal have been sluggish out of the blocks once more – however Sevilla could not take benefit. Martinelli’s wonderful end earlier than half-time calmed a number of nerves and Arsenal seemed in management after Jesus’ surprise strike. That was till a set-piece value them once more.

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

Given Arsenal’s file in Europe in Spain going into this one – they’d misplaced 5 out of their final six earlier than this recreation – the win seems like a giant second for this group.
Gail Davis in Seville