GOALKEEPER Andre Onana confirmed that he has overcome the difficult initial period and is ready to shine, aiming for success with Man Utd.
Onana was criticised at the start of the season for making a number of mistakes that led to Man Utd finishing bottom of the Champions League. Notably, he missed a shot from Leroy Sane in the 3-4 defeat at Bayern and conceded two goals from Hakim Ziyech’s weak free kicks in the 3-3 draw at Galatasaray.
Onana insists he never lost faith in his abilities, but admits it took him time to adapt to a new, more stressful environment. “It took me six or seven months not to play well, but just to feel comfortable,” the 27-year-old told ESPN . “It was a difficult time and now I feel a little better. At first everything was new, I found it difficult to feel at home for many reasons. Now I feel good. For me, the most important thing is to be stable, happy and then I will shine.”
Goalkeeper Andre Onana during the Fulham match in round 26 of the Premier League at Old Trafford on February 24, 2024
In the summer of 2023, Man Utd parted ways with David de Gea – the team’s most senior player – to recruit Onana for $62 million. Onana is a modern goalkeeper, outstanding in his ability to pass the ball with his feet, expected to help Man Utd improve their ability to deploy the ball from home. The Cameroon goalkeeper has shown this strength by helping Man Utd control the ball better, but has also received a lot of criticism for his ability to block with his hands.
Onana admits there is a lot of pressure on him to replace De Gea and accepts that it has been a steeper learning curve than he initially anticipated. “It’s a good time for me to learn, and I’ve learned a lot,” he said. “To be in the Champions League final last season and then be knocked out in the group stage a few months later was a big lesson. Now I think I’ve got everything, so learn, move on and try to be happy. That’s the most important thing.”
Onana has been one of United’s most consistent performers in recent months, especially since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Cameroonian has made 93 saves in the Premier League this season – the sixth most in the league – and has kept seven clean sheets, just one behind Jordan Pickford. In the FA Cup fifth-round win over Nottingham Forest , Onana made a number of excellent saves before Casemiro scored the winner in the 89th minute.
According to Onana, his teammates helped him overcome the difficult early period and gradually regain his form. “They always reminded me who I was and why I was recruited by the club,” he said. “They said some players take two years, some take six months and some don’t have time to adapt. They said I had the quality to turn things around. They always believed in me and said it was just a matter of time. Everything is behind us, now we have to move on and look forward to the great times.”
Onana and his teammates were under a lot of pressure when Man Utd were eliminated early from the League Cup, Champions League and suffered ten defeats in the Premier League – something that had never happened under Sir Alex Ferguson.
But for Onana, playing under pressure is a privilege and there is no greater pressure than playing for Man Utd. “We are big players and we know everything in life is temporary,” said the 27-year-old. “We know sometimes you lose, sometimes you win, and you have to change. Winning is always important and that’s why we are here.
As Man Utd players, you have to win, win trophies, so the whole team has to take responsibility for what happened. I do the same. I know how good we are and trust my team-mates that things will change.”
