Erik ten Hag sends message to Man Utd board over Andre Onana and reveals Plan B

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has encouraged the club to wrap up a deal for Andre Onana as soon as possible, though he has a backup plan in case the deal falls through.

Manchester United news, exclusives and analysis

The Dutch coach – who watched his side kick off their pre-season campaign with a 2-0 win over Leeds in Oslo – is looking to bring in a new goalkeeper as a matter of urgency.

United have lost last season’s Golden Glove winner David de Gea, with the long-serving Spaniard deciding to leave the club on a free transfer after a contract extension on greatly reduced terms was taken off the table at the eleventh hour.

The Red Devils’ hierarchy had hoped De Gea would delay finding a new club until they had greater clarity over their pursuit of Onana, but he announced his departure on Saturday.

United are currently locked in talks with Inter to sign the Cameroonian shot-stopper and the club are optimistic of finding a breakthrough, though so far the Italian side have stuck by their £51million valuation.

Ten Hag is keen for the deal to be concluded swiftly so Onana can travel with the squad on their pre-season tour of the United States, though he is willing to put his trust in the club’s current goalkeeping options if an agreement is not found.

Asked if it is important to wrap up the deal for Onana quickly, Ten Hag replied: ‘Of course. Goalkeeper is a key position, but I am happy with the players we have now.’

Tom Heaton – who was set to leave Old Trafford for Luton Town until the club triggered a one-year extension clause – started in goal for United in Oslo with youngster Matej Kovar playing in the second half.

Dean Henderson, who was on loan at Nottingham Forest last season, is still recovering from an injury sustained in January which ruled him out of the second half of the campaign and did not travel to Norway.

United are actually in talks to sell the 26-year-old to Forest but, if a deal for Onana does not materialise, Henderson could end up being United’s number one next season.

Asked to confirm if the English keeper is a genuine option should United fail in their pursuit of Onana, Ten Hag replied: ‘Yes, of course. I followed him through the whole season.’

Ten Hag also suggested Harry Maguire would be stripped of the captaincy regardless of whether he stays at United or not this summer.

The centre-back has dramatically dropped down the pecking order and is now fifth choice and Ten Hag says he will make the decision over who succeeds Maguire as skipper: ‘No, I don’t let the dressing room vote. It is up to me.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news onFacebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Source: Read Full Article