Andre Onana: Man Utd FLOP, Inter FLY

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 13 Sep 2023 12:24 CDT
• 3 min read

Andre Onana has not been missed at all by Inter Milan during the early weeks of the Serie A season.

There were some concerns that the Nerazzurri would badly miss the Cameroonian goalkeeper, who departed this summer for Man Utd for a fee of around €55 million.

Inter replaced Onana by signing two goalkeepers. Yann Sommer arrived from Bayern Munich for €6 million to be the new number one. Emil Audero arrived on loan from Sampdoria to replace Samir Handanovic as number two.

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So far Simone Inzaghi’s men have barely noticed that Onana has been missing.

The 2023 Champions League finalists have had the perfect start to the season. They are top of Serie A with a 100 per cent record from their three matches.

Inter opened the campaign with a 2-0 win over Monza before defeating Cagliari 2-0 away and thrashing Fiorentina 4-0 at San Siro.

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The Nerazzuri are the joint-highest scorers in the league and, without Onana, the only side to have not conceded a goal.

Sommer has not put a foot wrong thus far, although it must also be noticed that he has barely been threatened by opposition attacks.

In their three games, Sommer has faced only six shots on targets in total.

The average xGA (Expected Goals Against) per game for Inter is a measly 0.47.

Even without the injured Francesco Acerbi - and with new signing Benjamin Pavard yet to play - Inter look rock solid at the back.

Additionally, Sommer shown himself to be more than capable with the ball at his feet.

There is no doubt that Onana is on another level completely with his kicking and ball distribution - arguably the best in the world at this. But Sommer is no slouch either.

As for Onana at Man Utd, he has enjoyed a mixed start. He was blamed for Declan Rice’s decisive goal in the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in the last matchday.

Whereas Inter have a 100 per cent record, Man Utd have won two and lost two of their opening four Premier League games.

There is little doubt that Onana will go on to become a key player for United, but Inter have begun life without him very well.

Inter’s next game will be a big acid test as they play Milan in the Derby on Saturday.