Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has defended under-fire Andre Onana and insisted the Cameroon worldwide is among the many greatest goalkeepers within the Premier League.
Onana has repeatedly been within the highlight since United spent £47m on the 27-year-old this summer time to switch David de Gea, and though it had been felt his kind was bettering in latest weeks, Wednesday’s 3-3 draw towards Galatasaray was a transparent setback as he was at fault for 2 targets.
Onana additionally made a mistake for a purpose in United’s Champions League defeat towards Bayern Munich, however whereas he has struggled in Europe, Ten Hag pointed to the statistics that say Onana is second in saves made, save proportion and targets prevented within the Premier League.
“If you analyse it well then you see he is the second-best goalkeeper in the Premier League based on stats, so his expected defending goals is the second best in the Premier League,” Ten Hag stated.
“He’s doing well. Also he knows that in the Champions League he makes some mistakes but all over you see the first five months he is doing particularly well.”
Onana will face one other main check on Saturday night when United journey to Newcastle, who’re on a five-game profitable streak at St James’ Park.
However Ten Hag doesn’t count on Onana to endure any hangover from Wednesday night time.
“You have seen how he is reacting on a bad performance like in Munich,” Ten Hag stated.
“At Burnley (three days later) he was outstanding. He is a strong character, he is a personality and he will deal with it.”
Ten Hag: Mainoo has proven he is prepared
United stated on Friday that left-back Tyrell Malacia, but to function this season after knee surgical procedure, is on target to return early subsequent yr after requiring a second operation.
Mason Mount was additionally again in coaching on Friday however there is no such thing as a timeframe but for the midfielder’s return.
Mount’s absence has helped open the door for 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, who excelled in final weekend’s 3-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park and was spectacular once more in Istanbul.
“He showed on Sunday (at Everton) he was ready,” Ten Hag stated. “It looks like he always has time.
“He’s scanning, he’s operating free, he’s scanning to see the choices and make the correct choices. He can delay, can pace up, he makes the correct choices.”
‘Man Utd have been taking part in nicely’
Saturday’s journey to the north east is a 3rd right away recreation for United, and one other intimidating environment after they confronted an offended Goodison Park and the bear pit that’s Galatasaray’s Rams Park.
“I really respect them,” Ten Hag stated of Newcastle. “It’s a difficult team to play but it’s a good challenge and I like to play against it.
“We’ve to rise to the event, be our greatest towards them as a result of the best way they play could be very organised.”
United go into the game on the back of five wins in their last six Premier League games, having put a rocky run of domestic form behind them to close in on the top four.
It stands in contrast to their European form, but Ten Hag believes performances have been good across the board.
“On Wednesday, we performed excellent, additionally in Copenhagen,” he said. “Even in Bayern Munich we performed excellent. However we have now to do some issues higher.
“Eliminate individual errors, defensive transition, but we can sort this out and I would be more concerned if we didn’t play well.”
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