Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will keep faith in Andre Onana despite his latest costly Champions League howlers on Wednesday, according to reports. However, the 27-year-old goalkeeper has been warned that his status as United No 1 could be under threat if he continues as a liability.
Onana has shown signs of improvement in the Premier League in recent weeks, helping the Red Devils become the top-flight’s form side, winning five of their last six games.
But he has regularly faltered in a woeful Champions League Group A campaign, likely to end in an early exit next month.
Onana made high-profile errors in United’s opening 4-3 defeat at Bayern Munich and the following 3-2 loss against Galatasaray.
And the £47million stopper cost Ten Hag again in Istanbul as United fumbled 2-0 and 3-1 leads to draw 3-3, leaving them on the brink of elimination.
Onana produced two horror mistakes to allow Hakim Ziyech to score a free-kick brace before Kerem Akturkoglu’s long-range equaliser beat him at his near post.
According to the Mirror, Ten Hag has told his goalkeeper that he can’t afford any more slip-ups between the sticks, with Altay Bayindir breathing down his neck.
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Bayindir joined United in a £4.3m deal from Fenerbahce but has yet to make his debut while Onana has been an ever-present fixture in Ten Hag’s side.
But he is said to have impressed in training since his Old Trafford arrival, and the Dutchman is ready to give his backup goalkeeper a chance if Onana continues to falter.
Bayindir is expected to inherit an important role during the Africa Cup of Nations in January when Onana could be away representing Cameroon.
The latter may miss up to six United games while on international duty, leaving Bayindir with a chance to prove himself over the winter period.