Onana is just one of Man Utd's many problems - and the buck stops with Ten Hag

01 December 2023 , 18:00

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The buck stops with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United if they fail to make the Champions League knockout phase.

Amid all the flak being aimed at Andre Onana – and, sadly, I fear two of the goals in Wednesday's 3-3 draw with Galatasaray were down to him – United's problems run much deeper than the goalkeeper.

It is inexcusable that they have only one point to show for scoring nine goals in three away matches in Europe. It would be inexcusable if they finished bottom of a group containing Copenhagen and Galatasaray. And if they don't even drop into the Europa League, Ten Hag will have to carry the can for his game management.

Four years ago, when he was in charge of Ajax and Onana was his keeper, Ten Hag was seconds away from the Champions League final when Tottenham – 3-0 down on aggregate with only 35 minutes remaining – completed a sensational fightback in Amsterdam to go through on away goals. And I don't understand why he took off Sofyan Amrabat – an experienced campaigner who was courted by United all summer – and replaced him with 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo when they were 3-1 up in Istanbul.

Amrabat started he game specifically because of his experience, so why hook him after an hour? As good as Mainoo is already – and he's going to be a terrific player – it seemed a strange time to throw on a young kid for his first Champions League appearance.

Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash

Onana is just one of Man Utd's many problems - and the buck stops with Ten Hag

Ten Hag had a night to forget in Istanbul (ANP via Getty Images)

Although they have hauled themselves back into the top six in the Premier League, after taking 15 points from the last 18, United are miles off winning the title. They might finish in the top four – personally, I don't think they will – but they may need to give themselves another shot of reaching the Champions League by winning the Europa League.

And their schedule over the next four weeks is daunting. Before the January transfer window opens, United play Newcastle, Chelsea, Bournemouth, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, West Ham, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe could help fund a transfer rebuild (PA)

If Sir Jim Ratcliffe's £1.4 billion investment at Old Trafford goes ahead, as seems certain, it remains to be seen how much time Ten Hag will be given to strengthen his squad and establish an identity in the team's playing style. After three windows under Ten Hag, recruitment is still a massive issue at United.

Onana was signed as an 'upgrade' on David De Gea because his style – with the ball at his feet – supposedly fits the manager's preferred style of play, but the goalkeeper's main job is to keep the ball out of the net. In all competitions, Onana has conceded 33 goals in 20 appearances this season. They are not all down to him, but it doesn't paint a picture of defensive security.

Onana was supposed to be an upgrade on David de Gea (Getty Images)

How many of Ten Hag's signings have made United better? I'll give him Lisandro Martinez, until the Argentine defender was injured. And Casemiro was influential in delivering United's first trophy in six years last season.

How many players he's bought would fetch the same transfer fee now? For me, it's obvious they should have pushed the boat out to land Harry Kane and Declan Rice last summer. United should have done whatever it takes, paid over the odds, backed their manager to the hilt, because Rasmus Hojlund still hasn't got off the mark in the Premier League and Mason Mount hasn't pulled up any trees.

There is a suggestion that Ratcliffe favours buying British or Irish players, so it's imperative that United identify a director of football – whether it's Michael Edwards, Paul Mitchell or whoever - to stamp the club's DNA at every level. Wherever you are in the world, you should be able to know you are watching Manchester United simply by the way they play.

Then they can go for the likes of Evan Ferguson, Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill, build a team around the spine from back to front. Palmer? Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool are not going to sell United ther top English players, nor are Real Madrid going to sell them Jude Bellingham, but if Chelsea don't climb back into the top four, there's an outside chance.

Scott McTominay was one of the few bright spots for United in Istanbul (Kieran McManus/REX/Shutterstock)

Scott McTominay was outstanding against Galatasaray, the 4,277th consecutive game where at least one home-grown player has featured in United's squad. That's a tribute to academy director Nick Cox and his staff, so at least there is one component of the machine at Old Trafford that doesn't look in need of urgent repair.

But I repeat: How can you score nine goals in three Champions League away games, and have only a pittance to show for it? It's not just down to the keeper. Sooner or later, the searchlight will focus on the manager.