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Erik ten Hag insists "great player" Andre Onana will overcome poor start

Ten Hag insists
© Reuters
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag insists that he is still fully behind Andre Onana amid the goalkeeper's struggles this season.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has insisted that Andre Onana still has his full support despite the goalkeeper's disappointing start to life at Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old has found it difficult to impress for the Red Devils since his arrival from Inter Milan over the summer, conceding 19 goals in 11 appearances in all competitions.

Onana was signed for his ball-playing abilities, but his shot-stopping has been called into question thus far, with ex-Man United players Peter Schmeichel and Roy Keane among those to express concerns.

The Cameroonian is again expected to be under the spotlight when Man United resume their Premier League campaign away to bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United on Saturday.

There have been claims that Ten Hag would be prepared to bring in number two Altay Bayindir for a run of matches if his number one continues to struggle.

Manchester United's Andre Onana and Victor Lindelof celebrate after the match on September 26, 2023© Reuters

However, speaking ahead of the contest with Sheffield United, Ten Hag backed Onana, claiming that the summer arrival should look to ex-Man United stoppers Schmeichel and David de Gea for inspiration.

"We know and he knows he will do much better," Ten Hag told reporters on Friday afternoon when asked about the form of his new goalkeeper this season.

"Every player who comes into the Premier League needs an integration period but he has to step up. However, also big United keepers like Peter Schmeichel and David De Gea, also they started not too good.

"For Andre, it is good to know, from that little bit of history, but also we live now and we live in the future. He has to make his future by making better performances.

Manchester United's Andre Onana looks dejected on September 20, 2023© Reuters

"I'm sure he will do that and he has already shown that so many times in big clubs like Barcelona, when he was young. At Ajax, he was in the semi-final of the Champions League. He was in the final of the Champions League (at Inter Milan last season).

"He is a great player and I am sure he will give us performances. I am sure we will have a lot of joy from him."

Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta refused to rule out a return to San Siro for Onana when asked about the Cameroonian over the international break.

Tom Heaton is also part of the goalkeeping department at Old Trafford, but Bayindir was signed from Fenerbahce over the summer as a number two following Dean Henderson's exit to Crystal Palace.

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