Inadequate recruitment has left INEOS having to correct numerous errors made prior to their arrival in 2024.
At the time he was at the helm of Manchester United, Erik ten Hag was granted his desired signings by transfer chiefs irrespective of whether the players suited the profile the club so desperately needed.
For example, a prolific, proven goalscorer was imperative heading into 2023/2024 at a time when United settled on a £72 million deal for Rasmus Hojlund, who had just scored nine goals in 32 Serie A appearances across the campaign.
Such lacklustre form only continued in England following his big-money move. He recorded 10 Premier League goals throughout his first term but has found the back of the net on just three occasions in his sophomore season.
Elsewhere, Andre Onana was single-handedly pursued by Ten Hag to succeed longstanding servant David de Gea due to the time they had spent together in Amsterdam, with the Cameroonian strengthening the ex-Ajax contingent of Antony and Lisandro Martinez; Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui have since joined the group.
To say Onana’s Red Devils tenure has been tumultuous is an understatement. He came in clutch with a number of vital saves or penalty stops in his first year at Old Trafford, but has now become a hugely criticised figure because of the catalogue of costly errors he’s accumulated – particularly in recent months.
He came under fire last week for his pre-match antics in the build-up to United’s Europa League quarter-final clash against Olympique Lyonnais. The shot-stopper claimed United were ‘way better’ than their opponents, to which ex-Red Nemanja Matic brutally reacted by labelling him one of the worst goalkeepers in the club’s history.
Failing to walk the walk after talking the talk, Onana went on to oversee an absolutely catastrophic display in France – to the point he was dropped from the squad for Sunday’s defeat to Newcastle United.
It remains to be seen if he’ll be restored to the XI for Thursday’s second leg in Manchester, although reports have suggested that Amorim is favouring sticking with Altay Bayindir – despite the second-choice ‘keeper conceding four to the Magpies in his league debut.
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