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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has defended under-fire Andre Onana and insisted the Cameroon international is among the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.<\/p>\n
Onana has repeatedly been in the spotlight since United spent \u00a347million on the 27-year-old this summer to replace David De Gea, and although it had been felt his form was improving in recent weeks, Wednesday\u2019s 3-3 draw against Galatasaray was a clear setback as he was at fault for two goals.<\/p>\n
Onana also made a mistake for a goal in United\u2019s Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich, but while he has struggled in Europe, Ten Hag pointed to the statistics that say Onana is second in saves made, save percentage and goals prevented in the Premier League.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you analyse it well then you see he is the second best goalkeeper in the Premier League based on stats, so his expected defending goals is the second best in the Premier League,\u201d Ten Hag said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s doing well. Also he knows that in the Champions League he makes some mistakes but all over you see the first five months he is doing particularly well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Onana will face another major test on Saturday evening when United travel to Newcastle, who are on a five-game winning streak at St James\u2019 Park.<\/p>\n
But Ten Hag does not expect Onana to suffer any hangover from Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have seen how he is reacting on a bad performance like in Munich,\u201d Ten Hag said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Burnley (three days later) he was outstanding. He is a strong character, he is a personality and he will deal with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
United said on Friday that left-back Tyrell Malacia, yet to feature this season after knee surgery, is on course to return early next year after requiring a second operation.<\/p>\n
Mason Mount was also back in training on Friday but there is no timeframe yet for the midfielder\u2019s return.<\/p>\n
Mount\u2019s absence has helped open the door for 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, who excelled in last weekend\u2019s 3-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park and was impressive again in Istanbul.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe showed on Sunday (at Everton) he was ready,\u201d Ten Hag said. \u201cIt looks like he always has time.<\/p>\n
He’s doing well. Also he knows that in the Champions League he makes some mistakes but all over you see the first five months he is doing particularly well<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is scanning, he is running free, he is scanning to see the options and make the right decisions. He can delay, can speed up, he makes the right decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Saturday\u2019s trip to the north east is a third straight away game for United, and another intimidating atmosphere after they faced an angry Goodison Park and the bear pit that is Galatasaray\u2019s Rams Park.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really respect them,\u201d Ten Hag said of Newcastle. \u201cIt\u2019s a difficult team to play but it\u2019s a good challenge and I like to play against it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to rise to the occasion, be our best against them because the way they play is very organised.\u201d<\/p>\n
United go into the game on the back of five wins in their last six Premier League games, having put a rocky run of domestic form behind them to close in on the top four.<\/p>\n
It stands in contrast to their European form, but Ten Hag believes performances have been good across the board.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn Wednesday, we played very good, also in Copenhagen,\u201d he said. \u201cEven in Bayern Munich we played very good. But we have to do some things better.<\/p>\n
\u201cEliminate individual errors, defensive transition, but we can sort this out and I would be more concerned if we didn\u2019t play well.\u201d<\/p>\n