Erik ten Hag has outlined Manchester United goalkeeper stance amid Andre Onana dip in form

Erik ten Hag showed his ruthlessness when he showed David de Gea through the door in the summer. The goalkeeper had been at Manchester United for 12 years but made one too many mistakes last season to warrant a new deal. He wasn’t the only shot-stopper to leave.

The only surprise in Dean Henderson’s departure was the fact he ended up not at Nottingham Forest but Crystal Palace, where he now plays second fiddle to Sam Johnstone instead. Nathan Bishop left for Sunderland and is yet to make his Championship debut while Matej Kovar has only played once so far for Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

It’s clear the goalkeeper department needed an overhaul with even Tom Heaton mulling over an exit amid unhappiness over game time before a chat with Ten Hag convinced him to stay. United fans were pleased to see Andre Onana brought in after making the Champions League final with Inter.

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It must be said the Italian club’s path to the final was considerably easier than Manchester City’s but he nevertheless kept eight clean sheets en route. So far, he has kept just three in nine United games. De Gea had kept five in the same period last season and supporters cannot be argued with for wondering whether Onana is an upgrade.

His overall passing game is undoubtedly better, and it would be unfair to say the goalkeeper had not shown that in his appearances so far. That is, until Tuesday evening.

Casemiro will now miss United’s next Champions League clash with Copenhagen after he was forced to retreat and bring down Dries Mertens in the area following Onana’s clumsy pass n the 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray.