Erik ten Hag slammed for £47m Man United star’s impact, he was expected to have a “transformative effect”

Erik ten Hag has been slammed for the performances of one Manchester United star who was expected to have a “transformative effect” at Old Trafford.

The Reds have had a positive summer transfer window, the first under new leaders INEOS, with signings like Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee boosting the squad.

However, Erik ten Hag had previously been criticised for the club’s transfer work during his tenure, with several wasted signings for big money fees.

André Onana’s impact analysed

André Onana signed for the club in the summer of 2023 from Inter Milan for a £47 million package.

The goalkeeper formally worked under Ten Hag at Ajax and it was heavily antipicated that his ball-playing style would allow United to become a strong in-possession team, particualrly in the build up.

After a very shaky first six months at Old Trafford, Onana has been a decent performer since then but his ball playing ability has not been a standout for him so far.

Arguably the best goalkeeper in the world with the ball at his feet, Onana has often been forced to go long or be part of an incosistent build-up from Ten Hag’s side.

Ex-Premier League goalkeeper David James told safestcasinosites.co.uk that Onana’s impact has been disapointing after he expected the no.24 to have a “transformative effect” on the team.

James questioned whether the fault should lay with Ten Hag and his coaching team, with goalkeepers elsewhere able to show their best levels in the Premier League.

“I’m frustrated with what Onana has brought to the club since he joined from Inter Milan,” Said James.

“When he signed from Inter, I was expecting him to have a transformative effect on the way that Manchester United play. I wanted him to bring that ball-playing ability to the team, that passing range.

“For whatever reason, Andre Onana hasn’t been the best version of himself since he joined the club and that’s disappointing. They wanted a keeper who was good with his feet and could pick pinpoint passes over long distances, because that brings variety to your play. That is what Onana is capable of, and we haven’t seen it at United.

“You always look at the individual first and wonder why they’re not performing. Is the problem Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff? It doesn’t make sense that he’s not doing the things that United signed him for when he pulls on the shirt.

“I look at Arsenal’s signing of David Raya. He is starting to fulfil the potential that the club saw in him when they signed him, and you could say that he is the best version of himself at Arsenal. That simply isn’t the case for Onana at Manchester United.

“Onana isn’t the best goalie in the league. At the moment, I wouldn’t put him in the top six, but he’s more than capable of getting there. I want to see him improve.”

We want to see more from Onana

It is a fair argument from James. It feels that most United fans were expecting more to come from signing one of the best ball-playing goalkeepers in the world.

Ultimately, it feels that he will only be able to show his best level once the team cohesion improves dramatically. We have seen signs of improvement so far this term but more is needed.

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