Erik ten Hag REFUSES to blame Andre Onana for Man United’s 3-3 draw at Galatasaray despite his costly mistakes as he insists ‘it is always about the team’… but takes aim at his players for poor game management

• Man United boss Erik ten Hag defended Andre Onana despite his glaring errors  
• He said it was a team game after United collapsed in 3-3 draw at Galatasaray
• Was Garnacho’s overhead kick REALLY the greatest ever? Listen to the debate on It’s All Kicking Off 

Andre Onana blunders cost Manchester United in Istanbul last night to leave their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

Onana failed to keep out two free kicks from Hakim Ziyech as United again failed to hold into a lead as Galatasaray come from behind to grab a 3-3 draw at the Rams Stadium.

Manager Erik ten Hag tried to clear the Cameroon goalkeeper of any blame, saying: ‘We win and lose together. He (Onana) is okay. It is not about individuals. Individual errors in football can make a difference and you take responsibility for it, but it is always about the team.

‘All the players in this squad deserve to play for Manchester United because they are brilliant players.

‘We are very happy with our keeper group. They do very well and have good performances. They have to push each other.’

Man United boss Erik ten Hag refused to make a scapegoat of Andre Onana despite his costly mistakes in their 3-3 draw at Galatasaray

The Cameroonian was beaten by two Hakim Ziyech free kicks that spurred their late comeback

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However, Ten Hag was once again left frustrated by his team’s game management. United have been in promising positions in both games against Galatasaray, and also away to FC Copenhagen, but only come away with one point from the three ties.

Ten Hag added: ‘We play so good I have to compliment the team, but also I have to criticise the team. We are not defending good enough. We are leading 3-1, and that makes a difference. I am disappointed because we should have won the game.

‘In the Champions League you get punished for it (mistakes) so we have to learn from it. I am responsible for this, but know that we are in a project, we are going forwards and making improvements.

‘We scored quickly after each other. It’s about the point when you are 2-0 up and you have to manage the game. We give free-kicks away and we have to defend them better.

Ten Hag said the whole team was responsible for their late collapse in the Champions League

‘It is always about incidents and details and we can do better. As a team we are conceding too many goals and it is unnecessary. I am sure our team is capable and experienced enough to cope better.’

Captain Bruno Fernandes, who scored a spectacular second goal for United, also criticised their failure to see the game out.

‘We concede really bad goals,’ said Fernandes. ‘We had far too many chances to score another goal and have the game closed, but we are not clinical enough.

‘We have to control our games. It’s not the first game we have like this. Even Copenhagen, we had 3-2, you have to be smart enough and manage the game better. Everyone has to step up and take responsibility for their own mistakes.’

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