Erik ten Hag has already shown a solution for Manchester United's Andre Onana growing pains

There were always going to be growing pains but it was hard to predict Manchester United hurting so much.

Since he took charge of the club in 2022, Erik ten Hag has been looking to modernise United on the pitch. To give a clear sense of playing identity that is able to compete at the elite level of the sport. An organised press, ability to control possession and creative attacking patterns.

To achieve any and all of them in a side, you need a goalkeeper who is as confident with the ball at his feet as he is with his hands. One who can come high off his line to push the team forward, can kick-start build-up play and can be trusted to stay composed on the ball when the pressure is on. Despite being a legendary shot-stopper in his heyday, David de Gea simply couldn't do those things. It's why he lost his spot in the Spain team long before he was released in the summer.

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Ten Hag finally moved to address the situation and in came a man he knew well from his time at Ajax. Andre Onana was just coming off a great season in which he shone in Inter's run to the Champions League final, putting in an excellent display of passing in Istanbul, and appeared to be the exact profile United were looking for. There was no bad-mouthing of the signing at all.

However, things have gotten off to a pretty terrible start. Onana had to apologise for mistakes after his first match when he was fortunate not to give a penalty away in the last minute and things have only got worse. There have been wayward passes straight to attackers, even once leading to a red card for a teammate, and several shots slipping in