Ten Hag sings praises of much-maligned Maguire, Onana after Champions League win

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
More
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Ten Hag sings praises of much-maligned Maguire, Onana after Champions League win
Onana celebrating the win after the match
Onana celebrating the win after the matchReuters
Harry Maguire (30) and Andre Onana (27), 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 much more proactively in possession.

Maguire celebrates scoring the first goal with teammates
Maguire celebrates scoring the first goal with teammatesReuters

"Stepping in passing vertical, defending also on front foot, stepping in defending forward, very confident in the duels, he is dominating, 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 criticized 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 team mates.

"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 told reporters.

The victory, which began with a stirring tribute to club great Bobby Charlton, who died on Saturday at age 86, propelled United into third 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," Ten Hag 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, who has called Charlton a "leader" and a "giant," Charlton's former teammate Alex Stepney, and Under 19s team captain Dan Gore followed a lone piper playing "The Red Flag" on to the pitch.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag holds a wreath in memory of former Manchester United player Bobby Charlton
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag holds a wreath in memory of former Manchester United player Bobby CharltonReuters

Charlton, an England World Cup winner and one of Manchester United's greatest players, died on Saturday at the age of 86.

"We love you Sir Bobby... a hero to millions, the finest English footballer the world has ever seen. You will live on in our hearts forever," the public address announcer said, before asking for a minute's silence.

Supporters then broke into "There's only one Bobby Charlton!"

Hours before kick-off, fans flocked to Old Trafford's Trinity Statue of Charlton, George Best and Denis Law -- the trio of former United greats - waiting in line to carefully add bouquets and scarves to the hundreds already encircling the statue's base.

The words "Sir Bobby Charlton, 1937-2023, Forever Loved," had been added over Old Trafford's main entrance, a wreath was placed in Charlton's seat inside the stadium and the players wore black armbands for the game.

Charlton was a key figure in England's 1966 World Cup-winning team, playing alongside his brother Jack, and he made 758 appearances for United, scoring 249 goals.

21+ | COMPETENT REGULATOR EEEP | RISK OF ADDICTION & LOSS OF PROPERTY | KETHEA HELPLINE: 210 9237777 | PLAY RESPONSIBLY & SAFELY |

France gouvernement

Les jeux d’argent et de hasard peuvent être dangereux : pertes d’argent, conflits familiaux, addiction…

Retrouvez nos conseils sur joueurs-info-service.fr (09-74-75-13-13, appel non surtaxé)

Do you want to withdraw your consent to display betting ads?
Yes, change settings