Erik ten Hag has challenged his new goalkeeper Andre Onana to ‘step up’ after a shaky start to his Manchester United career.
Onana has conceded 19 goals in 11 games since joining United from Inter Milan for £47.2million in the summer as a replacement for David de Gea, and Sheffield United will be relishing the opportunity to test him out at Bramall Lane on Saturday night.
Despite a dramatic comeback win over Brentford a fortnight ago, the 27-year-old Cameroon international was criticised for conceding Mathias Jensen’s opening goal.
Ten Hag acknowledged his former Ajax goalkeeper can do better but backed Onana to come good, pointing out that De Gea and even Peter Schmeichel struggled at the start of their Old Trafford careers. ‘He knows and we know he will do much better,’ said the United boss.
‘Every player coming into the Premier League needs an integration period, but he has to step up. Big United keepers like Peter Schmeichel and David de Gea started not good and Andre knows it is good to know a little bit from history.
‘But we live now, we live in the future, and he has to make his future by giving better performances. I’m sure he will.’
Ten Hag agreed that Onana has suffered from not playing behind a settled back four at United due to injury problems.
‘I will never use injuries as an excuse and Andre is not doing that either,’ added Ten Hag. ‘But, of course, every time you have a different defending line in front of you it is not helpful. It didn’t help his integration, absolutely.’
United could have Raphael Varane and Sergio Reguilon back in the squad, and Ten Hag confirmed Victor Lindelof will be available as well, despite being caught up in the terrorist attack in Brussels on Tuesday night that left two Sweden fans dead before their Euro 2024 qualifier against Belgium.
‘Of course, Victor had a problem. It’s a bad experience,’ said Ten Hag. ‘As Sweden national team captain, he had to stay in front and give statements but he dealt with it.
‘He is exhausted after it. He didn’t sleep overnight. He returned and on Thursday he was back in training.
‘Victor has energy and is ready to play this game.’
TV: Sheffield United v Manchester United: 8pm, LIVE on Sky Sports
Vedadmpsu
1
I don't see onana doing better than he has been doing. he's just a calamity at the goal post
You are just fanatic who's unable to use his mind to analyse.
hoaeilmt
0
A longer rope can no more be given to him if he blunder again. Bayindir seems to be the next Goal keeper we would rely on. Onana must step up.
Jrinhodes
2
I don't see onana doing better than he has been doing. he's just a calamity at the goal post
Nizdituy
0
dea gea and the rest of man u keepers started very badly, mostly gea. he was like a school boykeeper. he the settled in. our defense is weak. thanks to amrabat he's bringing Maguire back by covering the holes. the top teams have gone nowhere just 8 point , so many u are coming strong soon. we shouldn't be playing 4 midfielders in small games let's go by case,amra,fena in a 4.3.3 Antony should play no 7we shall win this league and they I'm sure
Bouaeiosuy
0
Bench that fool please man
kabuyegodson
0
some of us we leave Eth wit his ki Man Onana. they're to do whatever they want
MukisaGerald
1
please use other goalkeepers
cuzdeiklru
1
Let there be competition in between the post. We have other goalkeepers to try.
seuacipy
0
Man Utd won't win anything this season and Onana will keep on making silly mistakes (I'm not cursing) but that's the result for disrespecting De Gea and CR7
Come and replace them
Licbikny
0
Man utd is over and over with Eth
Hahaha funny2🤣🤭🤣🤫
Nazdilmpr
1
Man utd is over and over with Eth
We need to employ your dad
Valprudent
2
He should also tell his whole entire Team to step up too not just only ONANA. The 10 players on the pitch should be hungry as well. They are just too relax. And Ten Hag should step up too as a couch. His Technique and Tactics is just too poor. Infact he is the main bone of Contention. He should stop favoring some setting players. He should play the players that has the desire and hunger to play.
majorsims
0
This is a very good goalkeeper once he works on those errors.
visbdilmot
3
I think the problem is bigger than onana the whole club need to step up
SMHellas
0
Man Utd won't win anything this season and Onana will keep on making silly mistakes (I'm not cursing) but that's the result for disrespecting De Gea and CR7
He didn't disrespect them. De Gea is a relic from the past as a keeper, you can't be a top keeper in modern football without being good on the ball. And Ronaldo can keep scoring goals in a Mickey Mouse league but that means nothing. You can't progress by holding onto the past
SMHellas
1
If he has any strength of character he will do exactly that. Remember De Gea also had a shaky start at the club 10 years ago, he did ok though
vasaiklotu
1
Eth should worry his defensive structure from frt to back. Not only onana's
Licbikny
0
Man utd is over and over with Eth
LeoM17
0
Man Utd won't win anything this season and Onana will keep on making silly mistakes (I'm not cursing) but that's the result for disrespecting De Gea and CR7