Onana or Martin?

Manchester United's signing Onana in 2023 is far from a simple player replacement. As The Athletic's Carl Anka pointed out, this marks a "philosophical turn": from De Gea's passive defensive goalkeeper to a goalkeeper who aims to take the initiative.

The introduction of Onana was to provide a modern solution. He was calm in controlling the ball, proactive in positioning, and extremely aggressive in the shot. However, two seasons have passed and Anka observes that "theory has not yet been translated into effect." Although Onana still has bright spots, his instability in form and lack of a coherent defensive system have weakened his influence. The report highlighted a symbolic moment in Onana's early career when he was scoring a hoop in the preseason due to a bad return pass. This already indicates the risks associated with his style. The then coach Ten Hah firmly believed that his advantages outweighed the risks. But this belief has been tested.

The imperfection of Manchester United's system has exposed Onana to risks. As Anka explains, his characteristics are “tailored for ball-led teams” that “use the goalkeepers to assist in organizing offenses from the backcourt.” And this is not what Manchester United plays today. Lisandro Martinez's injury and the ups and downs in the midfield have eroded the basis on which Onana's game is relying on.

The Athletic reported that Manchester United has been in touch with Emiliano Martinez's agent since the beginning of the year. Although there has not been a formal offer to Aston Villa, interest is obvious. Anka offers a compelling reason why the Argentine nationality can provide a more appropriate solution.

Anca wrote that Martinez was "decisive" and was a player who "purposes to control the chaos" rather than shaping the rhythm of the game. He does not require his teammates to have complex tactical qualities. He just provides a reliable presence. Anka pointed out: "His control of the small penalty area is a model", and he is also among the best in the league in competition for high altitude balls.

Martinez's psychological qualities in the competition were also highly praised. From Argentina winning the Copa America and World Cup to his success in the penalty shootout, Anca described him as a goalkeeper who "takes the key moments."

The article admits that neither Onana nor Martinez are perfect. Data shows that Martinez faced fewer shots but prevented more goals. However, Onana made one more win in the Premier League last season. The gap is small, and both of them have highlight moments.

A recurring view is that their styles influence the team differently. Onana's high-risk passes and aggressive stance may make the already fragile defense more unstable. Martinez's pragmatic playing rules provide predictability. Anka concluded: "A goalkeeper with lower requirements for the system and more contributions to reliability is very meaningful."

Ultimately, The Athletic believes that the choice between the two is more about personal talent than about who is more suitable for Manchester United's current team characteristics.