“Difficult situation…” – Manchester United star refutes pundit claims about Erik ten Hag

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has confirmed to Manchester United fans that Erik ten Hag remains the same manager he knew at Ajax.

Having spent the majority of his Ajax career under Ten Hag’s managerial stewardship, Onana would leave the club and join Inter Milan in the summer of 2022.

Spending just one season in Milan, Onana would reunite with Ten Hag at United after securing his £45 million move to Old Trafford at the start of this season.

His debut campaign has been filled with ups and downs, with both Onana and his manager regularly coming under fire across the campaign. The Dutchman has particularly been criticised for his style of play being unrecognisable this term.

Despite this, Onana confirmed to Ten Hag that he and his manager remain the same people they were in Amsterdam, where the manager was often praised for his philosophy.

Speaking with Manchester United legend Gary Neville on The Overlap, Onana assured Neville that Ten Hag is the same man he was at Ajax, telling the former United fullback: “I don’t see any difference. I think he’s the same guy.

When pressed further, Onana continued to support the United head coach, explaining that this season was nothing more than an anomaly.

“Listen, we are the same guys,” Onana explained. “We are the same players. He’s the same manager I knew when I was in Ajax. He will not change in one or two years. I’m not here to back him because he’s big enough to (do so himself).

“Last season, it was fantastic for him. So it’s just a bad season, also for me. Last season, I was the best, and this season, we have a different goalkeeper. No, he’s the same guy.

“He’s just facing a difficult situation, and we are big enough to accept the reality because if we want to make things work, we have to accept the reality, and we have to go front foot.

“So I think it’s the same manager. He’s just facing a difficult situation, and hopefully, things become good for him.”