Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is standing by Andre Onana despite the goalkeeper’s erratic performance against Galatasaray on Wednesday night.
The Cameroonian international made some impressive saves against the Turkish outfit, but also made two errors that lead directly to goals as the Red Devils squandered a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at the Ali Sami Yen Arena.
The result leaves Man United on the brink of elimination from European football altogether as they sit bottom of their group in the Uefa Champions League. They need to defeat Bayern Munich in their final game and hope Galatasaray and Copenhagen draw in order to progress to the knockout stage.
Ten Hag refused to blame Onana after the game, instead putting the onus on the team, who have been hemorrhaging goals this season.
“Andre is okay,” Ten Hag said (via MEN). “As I said, it is not about individuals. Of course, individual errors in football can make a difference and you take responsibility for it but it is always about the team.
“This team is good, all the players in the squad are good and deserve the best to play for Manchester United because they are brilliant players. And that counts for the whole squad.
“I think as a team we played very well. We win and lose together. You see the progress in this team. I take many positives from this game.
“Some mistakes [but] we played like I want my team to play. It was enjoyable to watch that proactive, dynamic, brave and we scored great goals.
“Even after we had some setbacks, we kept going until the end and we should have won with big chances from Scott McTominay and (Facundo) Pellistri.
“Of course, I am disappointed because we should have managed the game better, we will learn from that. Because this team is in development.”
Onana is unlikely to lose his starting place soon, but Ten Hag did say that backup goalkeeper Altay Bayindir will get his chance eventually.
“We are very happy with our keeper group,” Ten Hag said. “Andre, Altay, Tom (Heaton), as a group they do really well, they have good performances and they have to push each other.
“We are very pleased with Altay. He gets used to Premier League, he gets used to European football, which is tough when you are coming from Turkey but we are very pleased with the process. He is doing very well.
“He has to be patient but if he works well, if he keeps his progress, he will get his chances and he has to take this.”
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