Erik ten Hag has fittingly issued a timely challenge to his new goalkeeper Andre Onana to \u2018step up\u2019 after a shaky start to his career at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n
The Cameroonian has conceded no less than19 goals in 11 games since joining United from Inter Milan for \u00a347.2million in the summer to replace David de Gea. No doubts Sheffield United will be looking forward eagerly to put him to the test at Bramall Lane on Saturday night when both sides meet. United pulled off a dramatic comeback win over Brentford\u00a0a fortnight ago, but the 27-year-old Cameroon international was still placed under the harsh spotlight of the critics for conceding Mathias Jensen\u2019s opening goal.Ten Hag was candid in acknowledging his former Ajax goalkeeper is capable of doing better\u00a0and backed Onana to come good, making the effort to point out that even the likes of top-notch former United goalkeepers like De Gea and Peter Schmeichel struggled at the start of their Old Trafford careers.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe knows and we know he will do much better,\u201d said the Dutchman.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery player coming into the Premier League\u00a0needs an integration period, but he has to step up. Big United keepers like Peter Schmeichel and David de Gea started not good and Andre knows it is good to know a little bit from history.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we live now, we live in the future, and he has to make his future by giving better performances. I\u2019m sure he will.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ten Hag conceded that Onana has suffered from not playing behind a settled back four at United due to injury problems.<\/p>\n
\u201dI will never use injuries as an excuse and Andre is not doing that either,\u2019 added Ten Hag. \u2018But, of course, every time you have a different defending line in front of you it is not helpful. It didn\u2019t help his integration, absolutely.\u201d<\/p>\n
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