Andre Onana’s position at Man United is under scrutiny again but their second-choice goalkeeper is yet to make his debut.
Erik ten Hag has assured Altay Bayindir he will get his chance in goal for Manchester United. Bayindir, a £4.3million summer signing from Fenerbahce, is yet to make his debut and Andre Onana has played in all 20 of United’s matches this term.
Onana’s position is under scrutiny again after a calamitous performance in United’s 3-3 draw with Galatasaray that could consign them to a premature elimination from the Champions League.
United remain at the foot of Group A and have conceded 14 goals in five games, with Onana blameworthy for a number of key goals. Onana could miss up to six games during the Africa Cup of Nations in January and February if he represents Cameroon and Bayindir could face a baptism of fire.
“We are very happy with our keeper group,” Ten Hag stressed. “Andre, Altay, Tom (Heaton), as a group they do really well, they have good performances and they have to push each other.
“We are very pleased with Altay. He gets used to Premier League, he gets used to European football, which is tough when you are coming from Turkey but we are very pleased with the process. He is doing very well.
“He has to be patient but if he works well, if he keeps his progress, he will get his chances and he has to take this.”
United enjoyed dominant spells against Galatasaray and Copenhagen but in both away games surrendered two-goal leads as they lost and drew.
All three goals from Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay were impressive as United continue to show encouraging signs of mastering the style Ten Hag favours.
Yet the failure to get positive results to match positive performances in Denmark and Turkey could be costly. “It would be more frustrating if we play poor,” Ten Hag admitted. “But the performance is very good.
“It is enjoyable to watch how we dictate the game, how we create chances, that is actually fantastic. But now there is more, if you can sort better the management of the game out then you start playing football.
“The football is good, the performances are good but now we have to learn better how to manage this game.
“We scored also quickly after each other. It’s about the point when you are leading, when you are 2-0 up and you have to manage the game.
“We give free-kicks away and we have to defend them better twice. I have to say also that is Hakim (Ziyech). He is brilliant, I know that. He is extraordinary.
“To give free-kicks, it’s difficult to defend as well. In such areas, we have to be in more control. It is always about incidents, always about details and some incidents we can manage better.
“As a team, we have to learn from it because we are conceding too many goals and it is unnecessary and avoidable. I am sure our team is experienced enough and capable enough to manage this and we will do better.
“What is enjoyable is the progress we have and the way we play football, we dictated the game, we scored so many goals. It was about plan, creativity, being proactive and brave. That makes me happy.”
