As if Olivier Giroud's week couldn't get any more bizarre, the Frenchman has made Serie A's Team of the Week – as a goalkeeper.
The Frenchman enjoyed a star spell between the posts against Genoa after team-mate Mike Maignan was sent off in injury time. And it was thanks to Giroud's intervention that AC Milan managed to hold out for a 1-0 win and move to the top of Serie A.
And fans couldn't help but notice his rating for that display was higher than that of Andre Onana, who featured in Manchester United's dramatic comeback win at home to Brentford on Saturday. The Cameroonian caught a fresh wave of flak for failing to keep out Mathias Jensen's opener at Old Trafford, and it was only thanks to a last-gasp Scott McTominay brace that the Red Devils avoided defeat.
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Despite the fact Giroud only spent around seven minutes in Maignan's shoes, he pulled off as many saves as Onana managed (two) in 97 at Old Trafford. And that was enough for the Milan substitute to earn his place in Serie A's star XI for Week 8.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea striker took a total of eight touches after coming on for the last 40 minutes at the Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris, while Onana had 33 against the Bees. And social media users spotted Giroud was handed a higher rating than his United counterpart, earning a 6.5 rating (out of 10) on one site, while Onana was given an unimpressive 4.4.
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Former Inter stopper Onana has had a rough start to his United career and become the butt of many a joke following a string of gaffes in goal. And seeing a striker be rated better at one's job – at least in a one-off appearance – is the latest offence against his work.
Giroud's keeping cameo has gone down a treat among Milan fans as he helped the team reclaim their place atop the Italian pyramid. And the Rossoneri faithful showed their love for the performance after his green goalkeeper jersey sold out in the club store.
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While the international break may have been poorly timed for a Milan team building momentum in the Scudetto hunt, Onana will perhaps be glad of a respite. Erik ten Hag's No. 1 has been responsible for other slip-ups against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray in recent weeks, which has left United's Champions League prospects in tatters.
It's unlikely we'll see Giroud test his mettle between the sticks again anytime soon, but it helps Milan to know they have a reliable emergency option if needed. United fans, meanwhile, may continue to feel a sense of dread whenever their £47.2million signing is called on to act.
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