Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana was a controversial selection against Wigan.
Erik ten Hag chose not to turn to stand-in goalkeeper Altay Bayindir against Wigan. The £5 million signing from Fenerbahce has not played a single minute since joining the club.
A cup tie against lower league opposition would have been the ideal game to throw Bayindir in. That may come against Eastleigh or Newport County in the fourth round.
Andre Onana should may still be away with Cameroon by then for the AFCON. Manchester United have delayed him joining up until after the Tottenham game.
Andre Onana keeps clean sheet
With his selection a major talking point, Manchester United certainly needed a clean, error-free game from Andre Onana.
Onana obliged, with a calm performance, keeping his ninth clean sheet of the season in a 2-0 victory.
He made one crucial save early on, with the game goalless, and then only had to make one other save all night, with Manchester United dominant with 67 per cent possession.
United need a game like this against Tottenham at the weekend. That one probably won’t be as straightforward, although Onana will hope it will be.
He is due to play for Cameroon just 24 hours after Sunday’s game at Old Trafford.
Manchester United fans speak out
Manchester United supporters had a lot to say about Andre Onana’s performance, and even his presence on the pitch, amid the one-sided display.
“Onana could’ve gone to AFCON from halftime and no one would’ve noticed,” wrote one fan.
Another asked, “Exactly why did we need Onana for this fixture?”
One pointed out: “Was a great save by Onana right at the start of the game from Aasgaard.”
Others agreed, with one comment reading, “Onana’s early save was important, kept us in the game,” while another fan agreed: “Massive save by Onana!”
But more fans just felt sorry for Bayindir, with one commenting: “I have always defended Ten Hag, but his decision not to play Bayindir in this tie with Wigan is absolutely ridiculous. Onana had nothing to do this evening.”
Another said: “There was absolutely no need for Onana in this match, I can’t see what Bayindir would’ve done differently that would’ve affected us badly.”
A further comment read: “I don’t understand why Onana starts and Bayindir sits even in Fa Cup against Wigan. At this point I feel for him.”
Onana at least can reflect on a job well done. He needs to have another accomplished performance against Tottenham, otherwise there will be some very unhappy fans.
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