Erik ten Hag makes Andre Onana prediction as latest howler extends Man Utd’s dismal run

Erik ten Hag has defended Andre Onana after the Manchester United goalkeeper made a costly error leading to Casemiro’s red card in their defeat to Galatasaray

Ten Hag backs Onana despite more struggles in Man Utd defeat

Erik ten Hag believes Andre Onana will “bounce back” after making a costly mistake during Manchester United’s dramatic 3-2 defeat against Galatasaray on Tuesday.

United twice took the lead at Old Trafford through Rasmus Hojlund, but were pegged back on both occasions as Wilfried Zaha and Kerem Akturkoglu scored for the Turkish champions.

But Onana then gifted Galatasaray a chance as his pass was intercepted by Dries Mertens, who raced into the box. Casemiro came in from behind and fouled the Belgium forward, handing the visitors a penalty. To make matters worse, Casemiro was sent off as United had to play the closing stages with 10 men.

Although Mauro Icardi missed from the spot, the Argentine made amends by scoring the winner in the 81st minute to hand Galatasaray all three points. After the game, Ten Hag was quizzed on Onana’s error and insisted he can become one of the best in the world, despite his latest mistake.

Ten Hag said: “We are happy with our goalkeeping group, definitely with Andre, and Andre was in one semi-finals of the Champions League, last season he was in a final of the Champions League, he has the capabilities to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

“He showed that and he will do. We have already seen in games his great capabilities, also his personality after he made a mistake. He will bounce back and I’m sure he will do in the coming games as well.”

Andre Onana made a costly mistake leading to Casemiro’s red card against Galatasaray(Getty Images)

This isn’t the first mistake Onana has made during his short time at United after joining the club from Inter Milan in the summer. In his Premier League debut, he only avoided giving away an injury-time penalty vs Wolves thanks to a VAR error.

He was then questioned for his efforts in saving one of Nottingham Forest’s efforts, before he allowed Leroy Sane’s tame shot to squirm underneath his body during the 4-3 defeat against Bayern Munich last month.

Defeat to the Turkish giants means it is now six in 10 competitive matches so far this term, which represents their worst start to a season for 37 years. Ten Hag, however, believes the Red Devils will improve and turn their fortunes around, with a Premier League clash with Brentford next up.

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“Last season was brilliant, terrific, more than we could have expected,” Ten Hag added. “But also with this project, we knew there would be gaps. In this moment, we are in a very difficult period, as everyone can see.

“But we come out together, we are fighting together, stick together, we are behind each other And that is me, the directors, the team, altogether. We will fight. This is not us. We know we have to do better and in the togetherness, we will come out.”

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