Andre Onana will seemingly continue to shred the nerves of Manchester United fans in the upcoming Premier League campaign. The Cameroonian’s risky approach in his first season led to several costly errors, but Onana will not adopt a more conservative style any time soon. The Red Devils begin the new season against Fulham at Old Trafford on August 16.
Andre Onana will continue to adapt a gung-ho approach in the new season after a topsy-turvy start to life at Manchester United.
The Cameroon international made several high-profile errors during his debut campaign at Old Trafford, but will continue to push the boundaries as a ball-playing goalkeeper.
When quizzed about his style of play, Onana told reporters: “That’s me. And I think it’s what you’re gonna see this season, because I will take a lot of risks.
“I can tell you in advance already! Be prepared because it’s gonna be this season, trust me! I will enjoy it even more when this season starts.
“Of course, because the best team in the world takes risks. Building from the back, recognise things, situations, when the opponent jumps one against one, or when they press with three or with four, recognise we dominate the pressing if it’s a No. 9 or the No. 11.
“So for me, it’s important to recognise those kind of things and make the best decision for the team. I will take a lot of responsibility and I think my back is huge to carry it all, no? I think it’s gonna be nice this season.”
Onana received plenty of flak for his appearances in the Champions League, making costly mistakes in the two meetings with Galatasaray and away at Bayern Munich.
The Red Devils would limp out of Europe’s premier cup competition at the first hurdle, and only scraped into the Europa League for next season by virtue of their surprise FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Onana has never shied away from taking responsibility, though, and heaped criticism upon himself after failing to deal with a routine strike from Leroy Sane in a 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich.
He told TNT Sports after that match: “It’s difficult to lose this way because in the beginning we started very good.
“After my mistake, we lost control of the game. It’s a difficult situation for us, for me especially because I’m the one who let the team down.
“Because of me, we didn’t win, but we just have to move on. This is the life of the goalkeeper.“
However, the 28-year-old reaffirmed the belief in his talents and reflected on a steep learning curve between the sticks at Old Trafford.
“Being a player for Manchester United, when you don’t win, it’s fair to receive criticism, because at the end of the day, it’s part of the job.
“We are here for it and me coming here as the best goalkeeper in the world, it’s normal they were tough on me because they expect a lot from me, but at the same time, they also give me a lot of love.
“You just have to balance that and critics sometimes are good because you have to look back at what you did that was not good, so for me, I take it positively.”
