Manchester United's difficult season got a glimmer of hope last weekend as the beleaguered club escaped Anfield with a 0-0 draw against Premier League title hopefuls Liverpool.
The stalemate ended a five-game run in which the Red Devils failed to keep a clean sheet, and much of the credit for the result has to go to André Onana. The goalkeeper turned aside eight shots on target in the hard-fought draw, giving his team a chance at claiming a point against an in-form Liverpool side.
Onana's first season in United colours have been as inconsistent as the team's campaign, with the Cameroonian mixing in world-class saves with high-profile blunders.
It's been a tough transition period for the 27-year-old, but a former Premier League defender is backing Onana to find his feet and fulfill his potential at Old Trafford.
Speaking to Paddy Power, Bacary Sagna urged patience from the United as he rates Onana to do big things with the club.
“Manchester United have good players, but it’s more about confidence," Sagna said." When you play for United, the pressure is different. Playing for one of the biggest teams in the world puts them under pressure directly.
"For example, André Onana is probably one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but at the minute he is not having the best time of his life, but to me he’s a world-class goalkeeper.
"Of course, he makes mistakes sometimes, but he is human, and when you come and you have to play for the biggest club, it’s intense – United need to be patient."
Sagna likened the current Red Devils to one of his former clubs and said he sees them rising just as his old side has.
“They must change the mentality and vibe of the club – and it’s happened to lots of clubs," he said. "Arsenal were going through a phase until they found Mikel Arteta.
"Manchester United are going through a phase and they are going up. Of course, people want to see them shining like in the past – they don’t have the same players or same confidence.
"The media is bigger than ever before, and little things can look big, and some players will be under pressure from the beginning.”