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Andre Onana opens up on Man United struggles but insists he can now start to shine

Originally posted on Stretty News | By Ahad Shaukat | Last updated Mar 1, 2024 9:12 AM ET

André Onana has acknowledged that he didn’t feel good for the first six months of his Manchester United career.

The goalkeeper, who joined from Inter Milan for £47 million in the summer, made a number of errors in the first half of the season.

The 27-year-old admitted that he’s beginning to feel more at ease at Old Trafford despite the fact that his mistakes contributed to United’s early Champions League elimination.

“I already know the goalkeeper that I am, it took me six months or seven months, not to play good, just to feel good,” Onana said, as quoted by ESPN.

“It was a difficult time for me. Now I’m feeling a bit better. Everything was new, it was difficult for me to feel at home because of so many reasons; new country. Now I’m feeling good. For me, the most important thing is to be set, to be happy and I will shine.”

Onana was a member of Inter’s squad that advanced to the Champions League final in June, but he struggled for United, committing errors against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray as Erik ten Hag’s club were eliminated from the group.

Ever since he returned from the Africa Cup of Nations, Onana has been one of United’s most reliable players.
With 93 saves this season, he is just one clean sheet behind current Golden Glove leader Jordan Pickford, who has eight.

Onana made many key stops in Wednesday’s FA Cup match against Nottingham Forest, keeping the score at 0-0. This gave Erik ten Hag’s team the momentum they needed to win it late in the game thanks to a header from Casemiro.

‘My team-mates, my players, they always reminded me who I am and the goalkeeper I am and why I came to this club,’ he continued.

‘They told me, “Andre, it took some players two years, for others six months and others no time. You have that personality to turn the situation [around].”

Onana’s form is going to be key for United in the remaining part of the season. Even after struggling for most of the season, all is not lost for Onana and United.

With a top four place in the Premier League to fight for and FA Cup clash against Liverpool, United can still achieve something meaningful from an inconsistent and below par season.

This article first appeared on Stretty News and was syndicated with permission.

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