Onana dropped? Ten Hag hints at major Man Utd change ahead of Galatasaray
Robin Bairner
- 2 Oct 2023 12:58 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has suggested that Andre Onana will start on the bench for Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with Galatasaray.
Onana was signed in short order during the summer transfer window following the surprise release of long-time No.1 David de Gea, but the Cameroon international has struggled to impress in his early weeks at Man Utd.
Among the errors that the 27-year-old has made was the opening goal in the 4-3 loss against Bayern Munich in the Red Devils’ first Champions League outing of the season – a defeat that leaves their progress in the competition in the balance ahead of a clash against the Super Lig outfit at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
MORE: Man Utd eye €50m Onana replacement after 'losing confidence'
Ten Hag has suggested that he will take drastic action after a run of form that has seen United lose five of their first nine competitive games of the season and go on their worst start to a league season in more than three decades.
Speaking on Monday, he hinted that Altay Bayindir will start against Galatasaray for what will be his Man Utd debut.
Asked who will keep goal in the game, the former Ajax boss said: "You will see. But we chose in the League Cup to play Andre Onana because Bayindir has to adapt to the English standard. That's why we preferred Andre to play.
"But we also have to progress Altay, that's clear. He's made a very good impression in training and he's really developing, so we're really happy with it."
MORE: Onana 'a fur coat with no knickers' for Man Utd
Ten Hag backs Onana
And despite the criticism, Ten Hag continues to stand by Onana.
"We are convinced we have the two right goalkeepers in the squad to do the job for us," he added.
Onana, who is under contract until 2028 after arriving from Inter Milan for €52.5 million, has conceded 15 goals in just nine matches, leaving many fans wishing for a return of De Gea, a goalkeeper who was often lamented during his long spell at Man Utd.
