Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has defended under-fire Andre Onana and insisted the Cameroon international is among the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. Onana has repeatedly been in the spotlight since United spent £47million on the 27-year-old this summer to replace David De Gea, and although it had been felt his form was improving in recent weeks, Wednesday’s 3-3 draw against Galatasaray was a clear setback as he was at fault for two goals. Onana also made a mistake for a goal in United’s Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich, but while he has struggled in Europe, Ten Hag pointed to the statistics that say Onana is second in saves made, save percentage and goals prevented in the Premier League. “If you analyse it well then you see he is the second best goalkeeper in the Premier League based on stats, so his expected defending goals is the second best in the Premier League,” Ten Hag said. “He’s doing well. Also he knows that in the Champions League he makes some mistakes but all over you see the first five months he is doing particularly well.” Onana will face another major test on Saturday evening when United travel to Newcastle, who are on a five-game winning streak at St James’ Park. But Ten Hag does not expect Onana to suffer any hangover from Wednesday night. “You have seen how he is reacting on a bad performance like in Munich,” Ten Hag said. “At Burnley (three days later) he was outstanding. He is a strong character, he is a personality and he will deal with it.” United said on Friday that left-back Tyrell Malacia, yet to feature this season after knee surgery, is on course to return early next year after requiring a second operation. Mason Mount was also back in training on Friday but there is no timeframe yet for the midfielder’s return. Mount’s absence has helped open the door for 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, who excelled in last weekend’s 3-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park and was impressive again in Istanbul. “He showed on Sunday (at Everton) he was ready,” Ten Hag said. “It looks like he always has time. He's doing well. Also he knows that in the Champions League he makes some mistakes but all over you see the first five months he is doing particularly well Erik ten Hag on Andre Onana “He is scanning, he is running free, he is scanning to see the options and make the right decisions. He can delay, can speed up, he makes the right decisions.” Saturday’s trip to the north east is a third straight away game for United, and another intimidating atmosphere after they faced an angry Goodison Park and the bear pit that is Galatasaray’s Rams Park. “I really respect them,” Ten Hag said of Newcastle. “It’s a difficult team to play but it’s a good challenge and I like to play against it. “We have to rise to the occasion, be our best against them because the way they play is very organised.” United go into the game on the back of five wins in their last six Premier League games, having put a rocky run of domestic form behind them to close in on the top four. It stands in contrast to their European form, but Ten Hag believes performances have been good across the board. “On Wednesday, we played very good, also in Copenhagen,” he said. “Even in Bayern Munich we played very good. But we have to do some things better. “Eliminate individual errors, defensive transition, but we can sort this out and I would be more concerned if we didn’t play well.” Read More Cameron Norrie links up with coach Stephen Huss in bid to rediscover form Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp: Playing at Anfield is a ‘nightmare’ for opponents Top seeds England could face Scotland and Wales as teams await Euro 2024 draw Pakistan appoint Salman Butt to first official role since spot-fixing conviction Newcastle boss Eddie Howe believes more VAR ‘would ruin the game’ Min Woo Lee continues fine form in hunt for home double

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At least 21 people have been killed after a passenger bus plunged from a bridge near Venice in an “apocalyptic” accident, say Italian authorities. The vehicle, which was carrying people returning from work, was travelling from Venice to Marghera when the shocking accident took place at the bridge in Mestre on Tuesday. “It completely went off the road, it flew off the bridge. It was a bus; it was a highway. We are in mourning,” Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro told Italy’s national broadcaster RAI.

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NEEDHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 22, 2023--

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Chelsea boss Emma Hayes insists she has no time to monitor the Women’s Super League table, despite a scenario that could see her side seal a fourth straight title on Sunday. The second-placed Blues, fresh from lifting their third consecutive FA Cup, are one point behind Manchester United, but have a game in hand on the league leaders, who have just two remaining in their campaign. That means victory against West Ham on Tuesday and Arsenal on Sunday would be enough for Chelsea should United fail to beat Manchester City on the penultimate day of the season. Hayes was adamant she is unaware of how invested her players might be in potential permutations, saying: “I promise you I’ve got so much to do I’m not privy to some of their ridiculous conversations, thank goodness. “They don’t want me being part of them anyway. We’re all football fans too, but I know the dressing room and, as far as we’re concerned, we’re in control of what we want to do and that’s I think all we focus on. “I didn’t even realise we could go top if we won tomorrow until someone told me yesterday, so you’re asking the wrong person here about all of those things. I don’t pay attention to them because your head gets away with you, so I’ve learned now I never look at them.” West Ham are still in search of a first league win in 2023. Manager Paul Konchesky said: “It’s a tough time, for me, it’s a tough time for them and as a whole group at the club. We know we’re going through a tough time, but there are games where we have been really close to winning and we haven’t won. It even looks worse when we haven’t picked up points. “We haven’t been out of any game, we’ve been in most games we’ve played and it just hasn’t turned the corner for us.” Arsenal are fighting to retain their place in the Champions League for another season after selling out the Emirates Stadium for their semi-final against Wolfsburg earlier this month. With three European spots available, Jonas Eidevall will hope to put some distance between his third-placed side and Manchester City below them when the Gunners travel to Everton. Arsenal are level on 44 points with City but have played one game fewer and also have a better goal difference. Eidevall anticipates Tuesday’s opponents will be ready to bounce back from their thumping 7-0 defeat to defending champions Chelsea last time out. He said: “I always expect our opponents to be fully motivated. I expect us to be fully motivated as well, so my expectations are never different from that. I don’t want to draw too much conclusion on that result last week. “There were performances in that game that were good from Everton, and there were performances that were not so good, like in any football game you play, so we just need to prepare our way playing the game.” Everton manager Brian Sorensen assuaged fears that City loanee and England international Jess Park could be ruled out of World Cup consideration with the same shoulder injury that has forced her to miss the remainder of the domestic campaign. He said: “No, it’s a six-week injury and it was three weeks ago now. She should be ready to go on the pitch when we play the last game against City, I think that’s the time schedule. That’s the latest I’ve heard. She’s back at City, she’s in their hands. But last I spoke to her, it shouldn’t affect (it), so let’s cross our fingers for that.” The sixth-placed Toffees are assured of another top-flight season but, with 27 points, are well out of European contention. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Can Pep get the better of Carlo? – 5 talking points ahead of City’s semi-final Jon Rahm hoping to ‘ride the wave’ of success at US PGA Championship England are ‘hellbent’ on World Cup success, says head coach Jess Thirlby

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 27, 2023--