Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana produced a stunning double save against Fenerbahce worthy of rivalling David Raya’s memorable moment against Atalanta last month.
Jose Mourinho could hardly believe his eyes when the Red Devils stopper brilliantly kept out two first-half Youssef En-Nesyri headers in quick succession. The first task was to stop a low effort from the Moroccan, which Onana managed by sharply springing to his right.
And he only just had enough time to get back to his feet before facing another En-Nesyri header from point-blank range, which he acrobatically tipped over the bar with lightning-quick reflexes.
The reaction from Fenerbahce boss Mourinho was priceless. Watching his side create their two best chances of the game while one goal behind thanks to Christian Eriksen’s opener, he was virtually covering his eyes on the touchline while the opportunities fell to En-Nesyri – exactly the player he would have wanted them to fall to.
And when the reality of Onana’s second mesmerising stop sunk in, he spread his arms and burst out laughing in disbelief.
Robbie Savage was bowled over on co-commentary duties for TNT Sports, letting out a shriek before saying: “Wow. We’ve seen a double save in the Champions League from David Raya, but Onana here… I think that is better.
“The reactions there. The first one is brilliant but then to get up, and at short notice, that is another brilliant save. Magnificent! Jose can’t believe it. What a double save.”
The moment of individual brilliance ensured that Onana’s shaky start to the game in Istanbul will be quickly forgotten. The Cameroon international let a low cross slip through his fingers early on which would have seen United fall behind if Manuel Ugarte had not produced a superb goal-saving block.
Onana has come on leaps and bounds this campaign after enduring a rocky debut season in English football. There were doubts about whether United had spent his £47million transfer fee wisely following a string of errors in his first few games.
But the 28-year-old stuck it out and is now seeing the rewards. In light of United’s poor early-season form, he has stressed the importance of staying behind his team-mates.
“In life you will always find difficulty,” he told Sky Sports. “You will come through it, you don’t know when but until you are there, you have to fight your way out. And us as players, when things are going wrong, we stay together because only together we can solve it.
“We showed already in the past that we can beat anyone. So we didn’t start this season how we want, but together we can change everything.”
