Ten Hag sings praises of Maguire, Onana after Champions League win
Manager says Maguire is playing a lot more proactively in possession
25 October 2023 - 16:29
byLori Ewing
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Andre Onana and Harry Maguire of Manchester United celebrate after saving a penalty from Jordan Larsson of FC Copenhagen (not pictured) during the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester United and F.C. Copenhagen at Old Trafford on October 24, 2023 in Manchester, England. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Manchester — Harry Maguire and Andre Onana, two of Manchester United’s biggest targets of fan criticism, earned a huge measure of redemption in their squad’s 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen on Tuesday — and praise from manager Erik ten Hag.
Maguire, whose abuse from supporters had former player David Beckham reach out to him in support, headed home in the 72nd minute, while Onana saved a penalty in the final seconds of the match for United’s first Champions League win of the season.
Ten Hag said defender Maguire, who was also excellent in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League win at Sheffield United, is playing a lot more proactively in possession.
“Stepping in passing vertical, defending also on front foot, stepping in defending forward, very confident in the duels, he is dominating his opponents,” Ten Hag said. “And then you see also a very good skill from him with his heading, great pass from Christian [Eriksen] as well but very good finish.”
Onana has been harshly criticised since arriving from Inter Milan in the transfer window. There was nothing but love for the goalkeeper on Tuesday, however, after he dived left to push away Jordan Larsson’s spot kick and was mobbed by his teammates.
“He showed personality, and he knows that before was not the levels that his skills are, he didn’t match his skills and he could do better and I think Saturday [at Sheffield] was a very good performance and today as well,” Ten Hag said.
The victory, which began with a stirring tribute to club great Bobby Charlton, who died on Saturday at age 86, propelled United into third place in Group A on three points after three games.
While United stumbled to a horrible start to their domestic season, they have won their last three games in all competitions — perfect timing for a hot streak, Ten Hag said, ahead of Sunday’s derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford.
“There is a great spirit and they are together and that is important always as a team, the team is more than the sum of the individuals,” he said. “That is what we have to take into the Manchester derby ... to fight together and then we have a very good chance to get a result.”
Ten Hag, Charlton’s former teammate Alex Stepney, and club under 19 team captain Dan Gore followed a lone piper to the centre of the pitch where the manager laid a wreath during the moving pregame tribute to the World Cup winner and one of England and Manchester United’s greatest players.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Ten Hag sings praises of Maguire, Onana after Champions League win
Manager says Maguire is playing a lot more proactively in possession
Manchester — Harry Maguire and Andre Onana, two of Manchester United’s biggest targets of fan criticism, earned a huge measure of redemption in their squad’s 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen on Tuesday — and praise from manager Erik ten Hag.
Maguire, whose abuse from supporters had former player David Beckham reach out to him in support, headed home in the 72nd minute, while Onana saved a penalty in the final seconds of the match for United’s first Champions League win of the season.
Ten Hag said defender Maguire, who was also excellent in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League win at Sheffield United, is playing a lot more proactively in possession.
“Stepping in passing vertical, defending also on front foot, stepping in defending forward, very confident in the duels, he is dominating his opponents,” Ten Hag said. “And then you see also a very good skill from him with his heading, great pass from Christian [Eriksen] as well but very good finish.”
Onana has been harshly criticised since arriving from Inter Milan in the transfer window. There was nothing but love for the goalkeeper on Tuesday, however, after he dived left to push away Jordan Larsson’s spot kick and was mobbed by his teammates.
“He showed personality, and he knows that before was not the levels that his skills are, he didn’t match his skills and he could do better and I think Saturday [at Sheffield] was a very good performance and today as well,” Ten Hag said.
The victory, which began with a stirring tribute to club great Bobby Charlton, who died on Saturday at age 86, propelled United into third place in Group A on three points after three games.
While United stumbled to a horrible start to their domestic season, they have won their last three games in all competitions — perfect timing for a hot streak, Ten Hag said, ahead of Sunday’s derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford.
“There is a great spirit and they are together and that is important always as a team, the team is more than the sum of the individuals,” he said. “That is what we have to take into the Manchester derby ... to fight together and then we have a very good chance to get a result.”
Ten Hag, Charlton’s former teammate Alex Stepney, and club under 19 team captain Dan Gore followed a lone piper to the centre of the pitch where the manager laid a wreath during the moving pregame tribute to the World Cup winner and one of England and Manchester United’s greatest players.
Reuters
Kaizer Chiefs should be open to coaches who want to bring own staff, says Shane McGregor
MOGAMAD ALLIE: Questions still abound about African Football League
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Postecoglou critical of table-topping Spurs despite record start
Kaizer Chiefs give Ntseki the boot
Premier League talking points: Emery has Aston Villa cruising
League is the most important, not Pirates’ cup success, says Riveiro
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.