By Mike McGrath
Erik Ten Hag will resist altering André Onana’s goalkeeper model after his erratic Premier League debut nearly price Manchester United victory on the opening weekend of the season.
Onana ought to have conceded a penalty towards Wolves on Monday when he flattened Sasa Kalajdzic in stoppage-time, with solely errors from referee Simon Hooper and Var saving the £42.7million summer time signing from Inter Milan.
Whereas Onana’s shot-stopping was stable, there have been fears his resolution making might result in conceding targets whereas he settles into English soccer, though Ten Hag has backed the keeper who was in his Ajax group that went to the Champions League semi-final in 2019.
“I believe he’s very proactive, that’s what we wish,” stated Ten Hag. “We would like proactive gamers. However in fact he has to handle himself as properly, when to be proactive and when to be passive. However I’ll encourage, I prefer it. Gamers who’re proactive and on the entrance foot, they’re the kind of gamers we’d like.”
United had been poor of their victory over Wolves and face Tottenham this weekend. Ten Hag admitted his group have been suffered from tiredness after their gruelling pre-season schedule that noticed them play friendlies in 4 totally different American cities and additional video games in Norway, Scotland and Eire.
“Completely,” stated Ten Hag when requested whether or not tiredness and jet-lag was an element. “That isn’t solely pre-season, it’s gathered, once more Fifa, Uefa, we have now to take a look at the schedule.
“Now the additional stoppage-time, so as to add all of it doesn’t assist. Each time we’re going to extend the load from the gamers, which isn’t proper. It might’t be an excuse. No it isn’t, we have now to carry out. I believe all of the groups need to cope with it.”
He confirmed that Jonny Evans is in talks over a deal to remain at United after a short-term settlement throughout pre-season so he might play in friendlies.
