Andre Onana has told Manchester United fans he is willing to take even more risks in goal this season.
One of the main reasons United signed the Cameroonian goalkeeper from Inter Milan last summer was Onana’s ability to play more expansively, passing from the back, coming off his line and even outside his penalty area.
It didn’t always go to plan in the early days, with Onana being beaten from the halfway line on his home debut against Lens, and being lucky not to be awarded a penalty late on in his first Premier League appearance against Wolves at Old Trafford.
But the 28-year-old settled in after a difficult start and played in all but one of United’s 54 games as they finished the season by winning the FA Cup against Manchester City at Wembley.
Onana heads into his second campaign at United confident that he is “the best goalkeeper in the world” and has warned fans he intends to take even more risks this season.
Andre Onana has told Manchester United fans he is ready to take even more risks in goal this season.
The Cameroonian goalkeeper had a tough time on his debut at Old Trafford
“Yes, that’s how I am,” she said, laughing. “I think that’s what you’re going to see this season because I’m going to take a lot of risks. I can tell you that in advance! Get ready because that’s how it’s going to be this season, believe me! I’m going to enjoy it even more when this season starts.”
‘The best team in the world takes risks. It builds from the back, it recognises things, situations, when the opponent jumps one on one or when it presses with three or four.
“It’s important for me to acknowledge these things and make the best decision for the team. I’ll take on a lot of responsibility and I think I’ve got a strong backbone to carry it all, right? I think this season is going to be a good one.”
Onana insists he has learned to handle criticism at United after his shaky start, and admits expectations should be high at a club of such stature.
“Yes, I think six months ago I felt at home,” he added. “It’s not always easy to adapt to a new country, a new league and new people around, but my teammates helped me a lot, so I’m happy.”
‘Maybe it was a bit strange at first because I wasn’t used to the country and the conditions, but I feel good. It’s a good place to be and my teammates, staff and fans make it very easy for me, so I’m happy to be here.
‘Being a Manchester United player, when you don’t win it’s fair to take criticism because, at the end of the day, it’s part of the job.
‘We are here for that and I come here as the best goalkeeper in the world, it is normal that they have been tough with me because they expect a lot from me.
Onana finished the season strongly and enters the new campaign full of confidence as the team look to improve on their eighth-place finish in the Premier League.
“But at the same time, they also give me a lot of love. You just have to find a balance between that and criticism is sometimes good because you have to look back and see what you did that wasn’t right, so for me I take it as something positive.”
Although beating City in the Cup final at Wembley saved Erik ten Hag’s job, United finished eighth in the Premier League and Onana accepts the club needs to aim much higher.
“As we are the best club in the country, the prospect is always high,” he said. “It’s about winning everything, fighting for every game and being more consistent. We have already shown in previous games that we can beat anyone, so we are going to fight to win everything.”
“It’s important for us. We know what we represent, we represent a great shield. It’s not easy to play for Manchester United because the expectation is always higher.
‘I don’t think last season was good enough because I’m coming from playing in the Champions League final and the FA Cup is important, but not good enough for Manchester United.
“The goals have to be very high and we are going to go for them this season. We are working very hard and we are very positive. I am very excited about the new signings. I think the way my teammates are working hard every day makes me very positive.”
Onana is adjusting to a new goalkeeping coach after United replaced Richard Hartis with Jelle ten Rouwelaar, who was brought in from Ajax to encourage the team to pass the ball out from the back even more.
Onana admitted that United’s last season was not good enough and he is aiming to improve this season.
The club replaced goalkeeping coach Richard Hartis with Jelle ten Rouwelaar, who joined from Ajax.
“He’s very good, to be honest,” Onana added. “I also had a very good relationship with Richard, he was a really good guy and he helped us a lot, especially when I came here and faced difficulties. He was there for me, so I thank him for everything he did for me and I think all the goalkeepers were very happy with him.
‘Now the club decided to move on and bring in someone else and we are working together and we are happy to work with Jelle.
“He has his way of working. It’s nice, we’re having a good time and we’re enjoying it, and the most important thing is that the team wins. So we’re ready to face anyone.”