Ten Hag refuses to blame Onana after Manchester United’s Galatasaray draw

Two blunders by goalkeeper let hosts back into match
‘It is not about an individual … it is always about the team’

Erik ten Hag expressed his frustration over Manchester United’s defensive struggles in the Champions League this season but refrained from placing the blame solely on goalkeeper André Onana, who made two critical errors leading to a 3-3 draw against Galatasaray.

United, having conceded 14 goals in five matches, currently finds themselves at the bottom of Group A, facing slim chances of progressing to the last 16. Despite goals from Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, and Scott McTominay, the team could only secure a draw as Onana misjudged two Hakim Ziyech free-kicks, allowing Galatasaray to mount a comeback.

Ten Hag defended Onana, stating, “It is not about an individual. Individual errors in football can make a difference, and you take responsibility for it, but it is always about the team.” He emphasized the need for better defending during set-pieces and acknowledged that the team should manage games more effectively when in a winning position.

Reflecting on the match, Fernandes criticized the team’s defensive lapses, saying, “We concede really bad goals. We had too many chances, far too many chances to score another goal and have the game closed. And we are not clinical enough.” He urged the team to control their games better and take responsibility for their mistakes.

Despite the disappointing draw, United still has a chance to qualify for the last 16, provided they defeat Bayern Munich at home in the final group game and Copenhagen draw against Galatasaray. The team faces a crucial test on December 12th to determine their fate in the competition.