Andre Onana: Erik ten Hag declines to hold the Manchester United goalkeeper accountable for the horrific Galatasaray match
Andre Onana: Erik ten Hag declines to hold the Manchester United goalkeeper accountable for the horrific Galatasaray match
The Dutch manager acknowledges that their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League are in shambles after yet another defensive meltdown.
Erik ten Hag has defended André Onana following Manchester United’s most recent Champions League collapse.
In a thrilling match in Istanbul on Wednesday night, United twice frittered away a two-goal lead to draw 3-3, leaving their hopes of qualifying for the round of 16 hanging in the balance. The Cameroon goalkeeper made two more crucial mistakes.
r taking a deadly step to his left, Onana was unable to make the necessary adjustments in time to stop Hakim Ziyech’s first free kick, which curled around the wall and into the goalkeeper’s side of the net.
After goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes early in the game, that gave Galatasaray their first chance to tie the score at 2-1. However, he later committed another costly error that left the score at 3-2 after Scott McTominay had first given United a two-goal lead after the break.
This time, it was at a Ziyech free-kick. After an ungainly bounce, Onana attempted to save the Chelsea loanee’s effort with one hand, but all he managed to do was misdirect it into the goal.
Nineteen minutes from time, Galatasaray substitute Kerem Akturkoglu produced a powerful finish at his front post to equalize the score. Onana, who was later injured after colliding with Mauro Icardi, was not to be outdone.
With Onana’s tendency to alternate between the sublime and the ridiculous on a game-by-game basis, it was the most recent in a string of high-profile errors made by the 27-year-old since his £47.2 million summer transfer from Inter Milan to replace former long-term No. 1 David de Gea, who was allowed to leave on a free transfer after 12 seasons.
United has conceded 14 goals in just five Champions League games this season as a result of these mistakes, and in all competitions, they have conceded the most goals in their opening 20 games since 1962–1963.
Manager Ten Hag, who declined to hold his goalkeeper accountable for the most recent collapse in Turkey, nevertheless continues to fully support Onana.
“In football, individual mistakes can undoubtedly matter and you must accept responsibility for them, but the team is what matters most.
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“This squad is good; every player deserves the best opportunity to play for Manchester United because they are all excellent players. The team is good.
“And that counts for the whole squad.”
Although United’s recent defensive disaster against Galatasaray maintains their hopes of making the playoffs, they can no longer control their own destiny.
Ten Hag’s team now needs to defeat Bayern Munich, who advanced to the knockout stages with two games remaining, at Old Trafford in their last group match on December 12 and hope that FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray draw in Denmark that same evening in order to advance as runners-up.
Ten Hag responded, “I think as a team we played very well,” when asked about Onana’s form at the beginning. “We both win and lose as a team. You can observe this team’s progress.
“I learned a lot from this game. A few errors. We performed as my team and I would like to.
“Watching that proactive, bold, and dynamic team play was enjoyable, and we scored some fantastic goals.
The most recent defensive disaster by United against Galatasaray
“We persevered through some setbacks and, with big opportunities from Scott McTominay and (Facundo) Pellistri, we should have won.
Naturally, I’m disappointed because we could have handled the game better; we’ll take that as a lesson. since this group is still developing.”
Ten Hag said that he was ultimately to blame for United’s failure to hang on for a significant victory in Europe in an interview with TNT Sports right after the game.
“It’s always me. This is my fault,” he declared.
We ought to have scored three points. This will be the same in more games, both away in Copenhagen and at home against Galatasaray.
“We had a great game. I must therefore commend my team while simultaneously criticizing them, our coaching staff, and me as a manager.
“We are not defending well enough, we are leading 3-1 and you can’t afford such mistakes because it makes a difference.”
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