Manchester United has set maximum targets in the two competitions they are still playing this season. Manager Erik ten Hag is determined to repeat last season’s achievements, namely donating a trophy.
Man United has just advanced to the last 16 of the FA Cup after beating Newport County 4-2. They will next meet the winner of Bristol City vs Nottingham Forest, about a month from now.
Meanwhile in the Premier League, Man United is still scattered in eighth place in the standings with 32 points from 21 matches, 16 points adrift of Liverpool at the top of the standings. But Ten Hag has good news.
A number of mainstay players such as Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, and Luke Shaw have recovered from injuries, while Onana has returned from the Africa Cup of Nations. This makes it easier for Ten Hag to present the best squad in each match.
“Perhaps for the first time as a manager, I was able to assemble a team from perhaps the strongest squad here,” said Ten Hag, quoted on the club’s official website.
“We have to win all the matches. There are two things we are fighting for now, the Premier League and the FA Cup. You have to take it one by one,” explained the Dutch coach.
Man United’s closest match is against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, Friday (2/2/2024). The Red Devils have a mission to recover after only winning once in the last six matches in the Premier League.
Manchester United was only left behind by Andre Onana for a short time. The Cameroon goalkeeper will immediately rejoin the Red Devils squad this week after completing his duties at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Onana’s cousin, Fabrice Ondoa, was trusted as Cameroon’s main goalkeeper by coach Rigobert Song, including during the 0-2 defeat to Nigeria in the last 16. With the elimination of The Indomitable Lions, Onana can now return to Carrington.
“Andre Onana will return on Thursday,” said Man United manager Erik ten Hag on Monday (29/1/2024), as quoted by Man United’s official website.
While Onana was away, there weren’t many Man United match schedules. They only played once against Newport County in the fourth round of the FA Cup. In the match which ended in a 4-2 victory, his position was filled by Altay Bayindir.
Onana has a big chance of appearing in the match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Friday (2/2). He didn’t use much energy during the Africa Cup of Nations, so it’s believed he won’t need long to rest.