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Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has launched a staunch defence of his manager Erik ten Hag, after the club’s eighth-placed Premier League finish.
United beat Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0 on the final day of the season but the result was not enough to guarantee the club entry into Europe.
After 14 top-flight defeats, United rounding off their Premier League campaign in eighth also means that it’s the Red Devils’ lowest finish since the 1989/90 First Division season when Sir Alex Ferguson’s side found themselves in 13th.
Performances have often left a lot to be desired and amidst all this, Ten Hag is facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford.
It’s believed that club chiefs led by new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe are open to making a change in the dugout and have been sounding out potential replacements.
A final decision on Ten Hag is expected to be made in the next few days but the situation remains 50/50.
Onana spoke to club legend Gary Neville on the latest episode of The Overlap and weighed in on the manager’s situation and what could be the reason for his struggles this season.
The Cameroonian said, “I don’t see any difference [in the way Ten Hag manages Manchester United in comparison to Ajax]. I think he’s the same guy.”
“Listen, we are the same guys, we are the same players, he is the same manager that I knew in Ajax, he will not change in one or two years. I am not here to back him, because he’s big enough [to back himself]. Last season, it was fantastic for him. So it’s just a bad season.”
“So for me, last season I was the best, so for this season, we have a different goalkeeper? No, it’s the same guy. He’s just facing difficult situations.”
Onana added, “We are big enough to accept the reality, because if we want to make things well, we have to accept the reality and we have to go [on the] front foot. So, I think he’s the same manager. He’s just facing different, difficult situations and hopefully things become good for him.”
For Onana and United, all attention now shifts to their FA Cup final clash against Manchester City at Wembley this weekend.
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