Ten Hag praises Onana despite frustrating draw for Manchester United

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag singled out goalkeeper Andre Onana for his brilliant performance against Crystal Palace.

Ten Hag was quick to heap praise on Onana, whose performance helped United secure a clean sheet at Selhurst Park in a frustrating night for the Red Devils.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day about a particularly impressive double save the Dutchman said: “Unbelievable save, Andre is so explosive. He’s such a great stopper. It’s twice in one action.”

“We all see now how good he is. His reactions are so good, he’s so quick, and we saw that with the save in the second half.”

Despite the draw, Ten Hag acknowledged that his team showed progress, but there is still room for improvement, particularly when it comes to finishing chances and being more clinical in front of goal.

“Absolutely, but also, we are in a process,” Ten Hag reflected when asked about the need to win games like this.

“I’m not content when we don’t win… we should’ve won!”

Erik ten Hag on Manchester United having “total control” over Crystal Palace, but only walking away with a point 💬 pic.twitter.com/sTW9HWmdGs

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“In Brighton, we were equal there. The last 30 minutes, we got a little bit of a loss of control after we scored what we thought was the winning goal, but then we lose the game, so now we make a step forward.

“We take this, but we have to be more clinical in front of goal than our opponent if you want to be a very good team in the Premier League.”

United came agonisingly close to scoring, hitting the woodwork three times during the match.

And Ten Hag admitted that bad luck played a part in those missed opportunities.

“In that action, absolutely,” he said when asked if hitting the bar three times was unlucky.

“The finish from Garnacho, nothing wrong with this. Then in the rebound, Bruno, nothing wrong with this. It’s a difficult ball to take. That is bad luck.”

“You have to score a goal. Of course, I am quite disappointed when you are so dominant in a game.

“We played some very good football but also did some very good pressing. You are so dictating in a game, but you don’t score.”