Erik ten Hag's Manchester United gamble is about to be tested

Images of Andre Onana has often been plastered across the back pages this season, but perhaps only once has it been for a positive game contribution.

That penalty save in stoppage time against Copenhagen was hoped to be a turning point for the goalkeeper as it was for Harry Maguire. The spot kick block meant Maguire’s header proved to be the winner while Onana had kept his first Champions League clean sheet for his new club.

But while his teammate enjoyed a promising spell up until his recent injury, Onana hit the headlines again after his fumbles against Galatasaray. In the end his mistakes in Europe saw United finish bottom of their group.

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To his credit, Onana has never shied away from the glare of the post-match cameras and he has exuded the type of character United need in net. Consistent performances still need to follow but he has made strides in recent weeks.

Onana’s first few months have been likened to David de Gea’s maiden year at United. Sir Alex Ferguson frequently shielded the arrows directed at the Spaniard amid a season of errors, the manager at one point calling his critics “idiots”.

Erik ten Hag has not gone as far as that but has underlined his faith in Onana in his comments and actions. The 27-year-old is yet to miss a United game this season but this run will come to an end next month.

The shot-stopper jets off to the Ivory Coast in a few weeks’ time to represent Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations after reversing his international retirement decision earlier this year. He could miss five United matches should his country make the final on February 11.

Ten Hag does have a