30 November 2023 , 02:00
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Erik ten Hag jumped to the defence of calamity keeper Andre Onana for the mistakes that put Manchester United on the brink of a Champions League exit.
United keeper Onana committed two howlers as United blew a 2-0 lead in Istanbul to leave their hopes of making the last 16 hanging in the balance. Onana let in two soft free-kicks from Hakim Ziyech, the second one a humiliating error, as Galatasaray fought back to deny United a famous win.
Ten Hag's side must now beat Bayern Munich at Old Trafford in a fortnight and hope Copenhagen and Galatasaray draw for them to advance to the knockout stage. Ten Hag said he will be responsible if United go out and refused to point the finger of blame at Onana, whose place is under threat after his latest blunders.
Asked who is to blame, Ten Hag said: “It's always me. I am responsible for this. We know we are in a project. We are making improvements, so that's very hopeful.
“We are going in the right direction, so I know we will be successful in the long-term, but if you want to stay in the Champions League you need to win these games.
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“It's not about individuals. Of course, individual errors in football can make a difference and you take responsibility for it, but it's always about the team.
“This team is good, all the players in the squad are good and deserve to play for Manchester United because they are brilliant players. We win and lose together. You see the progress in this team. I take many positives from this game. Some mistakes, but we played like I want my team to play.
“Even after we had some setbacks, we kept going until the end and we should have won with big chances."
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United skipper Bruno Fernandes, who put United 2-0 up with a fine strike, said: “We conceded really bad goals. We had many chances to score another goal and have the game closed, but we weren't clinical enough.
“Every time we conceded a goal, we had chances to score again. Everyone has to step up and take responsibility for their own mistakes.”