Manager Erik ten Hag has come out to defend his number one, André Onana, after the Cameroonian goalkeeper made yet another costly mistake which saw Manchester United go down to 10 men and ultimately lose 3-2 to Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday.
United came out of the traps the better team on the night, opening the scoring through Rasmus Højlund and creating a number of other chances in the opening 20 minutes, only for a deflected equaliser from former player Wilfried Zaha to cut their confidence short.
The Red Devils’ disappointing defensive display was a theme throughout and although Højlund did go on to score a second (it could have been a hattrick if not for an impressively composed finish ruled offside), they made it far too easy for the opposition to answer back with an almost immediate counter-punch.
Calamity at the back culminated in Onana’s second major error in the Champions League season as he effectively passed the ball to the opposition, leaving Casemiro with little choice other than to make a last-ditch challenge and receive a second yellow, meaning he will now miss their final group stage game.
While Mauro Icardi missed his penalty, he did go on to score the second equaliser — one which might not have come were it not for United being short a key player. Nevertheless, following fans’ obvious frustration at Onana’s string of errors and calls for him to be dropped, ten Hag is sticking by the signing.
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🗣️ "We are happy with our goalkeeping group, definitely with Andre."
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag discusses goalkeeper Andre Onana following a third home defeat this season 🔴🧤 pic.twitter.com/w59y4JCU3m
ten Hag confirms Onana’s position after a costly mistake against Galatasaray.
As he insisted to multiple outlets after the game, he said: “We are happy with our goalkeeping group, definitely with Andre, and Andre was in one semi-final of the Champions League, last season he was in a final of the Champions League, he has the capabilities to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
“He showed that and he will do. We have already seen in games his great capabilities, also his personality after he made a mistake. He will bounce back and I’m sure he will do in the coming games as well.”
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The Dutchman went on to admit in his post-match press conference that although he believes “last season was brilliant, terrific, more than we could have expected”, he knew “there would be gaps”, adding that, “In this moment, we are in a very difficult period, as everyone can see.”
It wasn’t the only negative record they put up on the night either, as they helped the Turkish visitors to their first-ever competitive win on English soil.
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First Champions League match win in five years ✅ First Champions League away match win in 17 matches ✅
Although many now believe Onana should be dropped and either one of Tom Heaton or United’s other new signing, Altay Bayindir, given a chance, ten Hag was sure to make it clear that the fault doesn’t just lie with the keeper and that mistakes need to be eliminated all across the pitch.
He also reiterated that there were periods of the game when his team were in control and played “fantastic” and while he understands fans booing at full-time, he assured that both he and the team are just as disappointed but that that “it needs to be [used as] fuel” to turn things around.
“We are fighting together, stick[ing] together, we are behind each other, and that is me, the directors, the team — all together, we will fight. This is not us. We know we have to do better and in the togetherness, we will come out.”
You can watch the highlights of Manchester United’s 3-2 loss to Galatasaray in the Champions League down below:
Onana’s mistake against Galatasaray was by no means his first; it wasn’t even his first in the UCL.
Jadon Sancho looks set to leave Manchester United for good – and he could be heading back ‘home’
Danny Jones
Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho looks all set to leave the club permanently this summer, and as per the latest reports, his next destination could be back at one of his previous ones: Borussia Dortmund.
Having become somewhat of a forgotten man after being loaned out to three different places since being effectively exiled from the first team under Erik ten Hag’s tenure, Jadon Sancho’s career hasn’t exactly progressed as many thought it would.
Enjoying loan spells not only back at Dortmund for the latter half of the 2023/24 season and even playing in a Champions League final, before then being loaned to Chelsea – winning the UEFA Conference League trophy – and then spending this campaign with Aston Villa, he’s been all over, even at 25.
Given his Southern roots prior to eventually coming through Man City’s youth academy, it was thought that he might stay down in London at one point; however, it now seems increasingly possible that he could return to Germany, where his breakthrough began.
Borussia Dortmund are interested in re-signing Jadon Sancho.
Sancho, who is currently on-loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, will be out of contract in June, having moved to Old Trafford from Dortmund for €85million (£73m; $97.9m at current rates) in July 2021.… pic.twitter.com/TKjirKUW2W
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) March 19, 2026
While Man United do technically have the option to extend his stay, and the England international hasn’t experienced life under Michael Carrick, the feeling is that it is unlikely this will be the outcome.
It seems especially improbable given that it still remains to be seen who the permanent manager at the Theatre of Dream will be, as there is no guarantee he would form part of their plans moving forward.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has since corroborated the already ‘tier one’ outlet, clarifying that the decision for Sancho to leave United was made “months ago” and adding that the Bundesliga side is “keen” if all the personal terms can be ironed out.
Despite not having played for the red half of Manchester since 16 August 2023, there are some among the fan base who would like to see a universe where he gets a second chance at Old Trafford – then again, there are also plenty in the Midlands who would like to see him stay in Birmingham, too.
Steadily regaining some form, he also grabbed a key assist in the Villains’ recent 2-0 win over West Ham.
As always with marquee signings, even if things haven’t quite worked out, part of the obstacle will obviously be finding a suitor willing to pay his wages and/or the talent’s willingness to maybe take a pay cut, with Sancho said to be on one of the highest salaries not just at MUFC but in the English top flight.
Either way, he is currently due to leave as a free agent this coming summer transfer window, and the chances are he won’t staying on their books much longer.
Meanwhile, in transfer news in and around Greater Manchester, one fellow Premier League star has not only been heavily linked with a move to swap one United for another, but apparently he’s been ‘personally recommended’ as a potential successor by one current player.
An official and completely FREE Manchester Marathon fan zone is returning for 2026
Danny Jones
Yes, last year’s newest and official Manchester Marathon fan zone is returning for 2026, promising more positive pre- and post-race vibes than the first time around.
Here’s hoping for some lovely sunshine to go along with the atmosphere on 19 April.
Set to host the city centre’s runners and spectators for just the second time, Circle Square’s Symphony Park will be home to the 2026 Manc Marathon fan park, complete with independent pop-ups, big screens to watch all the action on, plus plenty more.
Best of all, it’s completely free to enter all day long for participants and those of you cheering your loved ones along, as well as being an ideal all-ages spot for families to relax and enjoy.
Located just moments from the finish line, just outside the University of Manchester along Oxford Road Corridor, you simply follow it down towards the tall Vita Group and Bruntwood SciTech buildings.
Circle Square itself hosts many events and activities all throughout the year, and they couldn’t resist getting back in on the raceday party once again, as more legends are set to take part than ever.
For context, 2025 saw more than 35,000 sign-ups, but this April is expected to see a whopping sold-out crowd exceeding 42,000 – a record number for the annual event.
With that in mind, finding a place to fit all of them and the countless fans who come along to cheer them on from the sidelines is paramount, so it’s a good job the Symphony Park x MCR Marathon fan zone will be open from 9am on the day.
Here are some more scenes from the last edition:
Credit: Jody Hartley (supplied)
Although more are set to be revealed nearer the time, visitors can expect “a lively schedule of entertainment, food and drink pop-ups, family-friendly activities and special offers from our community of independent businesses and brands.”
Set to close around 5pm as the hordes of runners will doubt either head home for a long bath, leg rub or straight to the pub for their victory pints, we can assure you lots of time will be spent on the square.
Danny Jones -
4th October 2023 
