Following two more costly mistakes from goalkeeper Andre Onana in Wednesday's 3-3 draw with Galatasaray, Erik ten Hag has revealed who must be blamed for Manchester United's latest UEFA Champions League blunder.
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The Red Devils went 2-0 up in Istanbul thanks to early goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes, before the hosts pulled one back in the first half through ex-Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech.
The Moroccan fired a free-kick towards goal, wrongfooting Onana, but that would not be the goalkeeper's last mistake on the night. After Scott McTominay scored to make the score 3-1, another set-piece left the Cameroonian exposed in the 62nd minute.
Galatasaray later equalised following a stunning strike from Kerem Akturkoglu, leaving United needing all three points when they meet Bayern Munich in their final Group A encounter and the Turkish club and Copenhagen to draw.
Speaking after the game, Ten Hag refused to point fingers at individuals, insisting he will always be the person to take full responsibility when results do not go the Red Devils' way.
"It's always me. I am responsible for this. We know we are in a project. We are making improvements, so that's very hopeful," he told TNT Sports.
"We are going in the right direction so I know we will be successful in the long-term, but if you want to stay in the Champions League you need to win these games.
"We were winning and then we're losing it. We should have taken three points, that's clear. We did this in other games. I was pleased with how we played but at the same time I have to criticise the team because the defending is not good enough.
"We are leading 3-1 and we cannot afford mistakes as it makes a difference."
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United will play Newcastle United away from home in the Premier League on Saturday. Thinking of putting money on this game? Here are three things you should consider!
- Despite United's poor form in Europe, Onana has kept three consecutive cleansheets in the league.
- The Red Devils have conceded five goals against Newcastle without reply in their last two meetings across all competitions.
- Only a point separates United and the Magpies on the table, with the Red Devils in sixth place on 24 points and Newcastle in seventh place on 23 points.
