Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has reacted after their abysmal campaign has reached its end, with an eighth-place finish marking their worst ever Premier League showing. The goalkeeper believes the senior players, including himself, need to shoulder the brunt of the criticism.
Senior Players as Shields: Protecting Young Talent
According to Talksports, Onana acknowledges the negativity surrounding the club, but insists he shields himself from it. However, he’s concerned about the impact on younger players. “For me, I don’t pay attention to it,” he admitted. “I have come into this team to take bullets… When things are going wrong, don’t go for the youngest player – I’m here to take it, Bruno [Fernandes], Casemiro and Harry [Maguire] are there and we are used to it.”
Onana emphasizes the importance of protecting young talent, suggesting senior players should be the target of criticism.
Learning from Legends, Accepting Responsibility
While Onana doesn’t personally take offense to criticism from former United stars, he acknowledges its potential to be confusing. “When it’s people who were sitting where I’m sitting, who won everything, sometimes it’s bizarre – we are in the same boat,” he remarked.
He highlights the importance of learning from United legends like Gary Neville, but also emphasizes accountability. “We try to follow your thing and what you did,” he explained to Neville. “For me, to be honest, it’s just a part of the game.”
Looking Forward: Onana’s Promise of Improvement
Onana acknowledges the defensive struggles this season, conceding 82 goals in 50 appearances. However, he remains optimistic about the future. “Everything is temporary,” he declared. “Last season they didn’t face that, and I’m 100 per cent sure that next season we will not face that.”
He admits the season was a collective failure, but vows to stay positive. “It’s a bad season for all of us, and we have to stay positive as we are doing at the moment. I know everything will be alright – if not this season, it will be next year.”
With a crucial FA Cup final against Manchester City looming, Onana knows he’ll need to be at his best to help United salvage their season.
