Unafraid of change, Erik ten Hag is not worried about the arrival of the new owners of Manchester United

New shareholder Sir Jim, who will be the key decision-maker on Ten Hag's future, met the Dutchman last week to offer him some insights. And when asked if his need to win a cup was greater now, Ten Hag replied: “That's not up to me. But after my talks I had a fantastic feeling. “The personalities, their ideas, the process they want to enter into. I am very positive about it. "And I'm sure it will be beneficial for Manchester United." 

Ten Hag refuses to knock United out of the title race even though they are 14 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. But failing to get out of their Champions League group and losing to Newcastle in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup takes on added importance for the Old Trafford giants. Ten Hag, 53, added: “We now have two leagues to play in, the Premier League and the FA Cup. We still have a lot to play for.”

Andre Onana will start in goal against the Latics and probably also against Tottenham in the Prem on Sunday before traveling to the African Cup of Nations. Despite 40 other Premier League players already traveling to the Ivory Coast for the tournament, which begins on Saturday, Onana remained at United. Once he leaves, he could miss a month of the season, giving backup Altay Bayindir his big chance.

The Turkish international arrived from Fenerbahce last summer for $44 million that United paid Inter Milan for Onana at the same time. Ten Hag has backed the 25-year-old to fill the void left by 27-year-old Cameroonian star Onana. The Red Devils coach said: “At some point André will leave. "We are very happy and we have formed this group of goalkeepers because we feel comfortable with it.

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“We have confidence in them and they are both very good goalkeepers, with experience at the highest level. “We can believe that we have coverage, but not only coverage but competition between those two or three. "We are confident that if Andre has to leave, we are in a good place and we have a good replacement to fill that void." Former Burnley and Aston Villa veteran Tom Heaton, 37, is also in contention while Onana is out.