Manchester United return to action against Burnley this weekend looking to snap a losing streak.
Erik ten Hag pointed out after Manchester United’s latest loss, via the club website, that three consecutive defeats have come against top teams, “What you have seen is a very high level.
Against Arsenal, Munich, Brighton. All top, top level teams and we are going head to head but they win.”
With respect, Burnley are not in the same category.
However, Manchester United fans are well aware of the team’s struggles against newly promoted sides in recent seasons, and the 8pm kick-off at Turf Moor on Saturday live on Sky just feels like a banana-skin for an errant prone Red Devils to slip on right now.
One player who needs to raise his game is goalkeeper Andre Onana, after his error against Bayern Munich.
Andre Onana made a game-changing error against Bayern and he knew it. Speaking after the game he accepted responsibility and said openly that his form for Manchester United has not been good enough.
He will be under the spotlight heading into the weekend game, and Burnley will be targeting him as a weak link, fears former United star John O’Shea.
Speaking to MUTV post-game, O’Shea said, referencing the Burnley game: “They’ll be targeting Onana now. They’ll be really aggressive.”
The one consolation is that Burnley are not quite the uncompromising physical side they were under Sean Dyche, but that hasn’t been Andre Onana’s problem, he embraces that aspect.
It has been the basics, not saving shots he should.
Burnley boss Vincent Kompany may be instructing his side to ‘shoot on sight’ and test Onana, whose confidence has clearly taken a hit.
Ten Hag will stick with him
Andre Onana’s place as first choice is safe. Although, it is possible he gets a breather next week in the Carabao Cup against Crystal Palace, with a debut for back-up Altay Bayindir.
Even if Bayindir has a great game, don’t fall into the trap of expecting a goalkeeper controversy.
United paid a lot of money to sign Onana, and are invested in his long-term success.
Erik ten Hag was impressed with the way he responded to his error, and he will look for the goalkeeper to step up this weekend and deal with everything thrown at him.
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