Manchester United’s Onana is under scrutiny for wrong reasons, as errors in the Galatasaray draw raise questions about his performance. Following a promising display in the 3-0 victory over Everton, the Cameroon international appeared to turn the tide. This marked a positive shift after a challenging start at Old Trafford. However, his rollercoaster journey took a sharp downturn in a pulsating 3-3 draw against Galatasaray.
Onana’s two horrendous errors in the Galatasaray match proved costly for Manchester United, leaving Erik Ten Hag’s side hanging by a thread in their quest to qualify for the last 16. Football pundit Ruud Gullit expressed his concerns, highlighting the need for a serious conversation between the manager and the goalkeeper. Gullit emphasized the difficulty of managing goalkeepers’ confidence, especially when mistakes become a regular occurrence.
Ten Hag’s Balancing Act: Defending Onana Amid Defensive Woes
Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has chosen to defend his summer signing, Onana, despite questionable positioning and decision-making contributing to the defensive frailties. After the Galatasaray clash, Ten Hag admitted that his team was conceding too many goals. However, he refused to lay the blame solely on Onana, pointing out the team’s collective responsibility.
Ten Hag acknowledged the challenges of managing a lead and emphasized the need for better control during set-piece situations. The manager praised the brilliance of Hakim, a likely reference to Hakim Ziyech, but also called for improved defensive organization. Confident in the team’s learning capabilities, Ten Hag emphasizes positive aspects amid incidents, highlighting experience and progress. He emphasizes the team’s progress and style of play.
The dilemma for Ten Hag lies in striking the right balance between supporting Onana, who has shown glimpses of his goalkeeping prowess. Simultaneously, he must address the defensive vulnerabilities threatening Manchester United’s ambitions. The manager has a tough job during a crucial part of the season: keeping confidence in the goalie and fixing the defense for success.
