Erik ten Hag has reportedly given Andre Onana a special request to try and help improve his form for Manchester United.
Andre Onana has had a tough start to life at Old Trafford, the Inter Milan goalkeeper has had his struggles this season but he finally looked back to his best.
It could be argued that Onana’s performance in the 2-1 win over Sheffield United was his finest performance for Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United to date.
The 27-year-old made plenty of fine saves and was inches away from saving Oli Mcburnie’s penalty but the Scotsman’s shot was right into the top corner.
Ten Hag’s special request
According to a report from GiveMeSport, Ten Hag has instructed Onana to not take any risks in build-up for the Red Devils due to the injury crisis United are currently suffering with.
Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw are currently out injured and the defensive replacements for the pair are not as comfortable on the ball as the two first-choice players for United.
This could be spotted a mile off during the win at Bramall Lane as the goalkeeper attempted 10 long balls but completed just four of these passes.
Ten Hag”s odd decision
It does seem a bit odd that the goalkeeper Ten Hag picked out as a replacement for David De Gea, has now been told to do the same thing that De Gea did during his final few months at the club.
The Spaniard would consistently hoof the ball forward but United didn’t have the physical prowess to win these long balls and Onana is, for some reason, doing the exact same thing.
The concern would be if United’s first-choice defender’s return and Onana continues to hoof the ball forward which in turn would usually lead to the Red Devils losing possession.
It does seem like a strange choice but, for now, it seems to be paying off for the former Ajax goalkeeper.
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