Andre Onana has expressed that the Manchester United dressing room is actively taking accountability and working to rectify their early-season challenges. The team finds itself in 12th place in the Premier League and is yet to secure a win in Europe, but Onana emphasizes a collaborative effort among players to overcome these hurdles.
Manager Erik ten Hag has faced intense scrutiny regarding his position, yet Onana reveals that the players are committed to finding solutions alongside their coaching staff. “We discuss everything,” the Cameroonian goalkeeper stated. “From goals and mistakes to free kicks and corners, we analyze our approach to both attacking and defending.”
Onana highlighted the importance of maintaining a clean sheet, noting, “For us defenders and goalkeepers, it’s about achieving a zero on the scoreboard. If we can keep it tight at the back, our forwards, like Marcus Rashford, have the opportunity to capitalize.” Rashford, he added, often motivates him in a good-natured manner to contribute to the team’s success.
This sense of unity and focus is crucial for the team to rise above external negativity, according to Onana. “Togetherness is vital. In football, as in life, challenges arise, but we must fight through them. We’ve proven we can beat top teams, and although our season has not started as we hoped, together we can turn things around,” he asserted.
Onana remarked he is unbothered by criticism surrounding United, acknowledging, “It’s the reality of playing for a big club like Manchester United. We can’t control public perception, so we focus solely on our training and strategy to win games.” He emphasized the need to maintain a positive mindset, regardless of external chatter.
Looking ahead, United faces a challenging October, beginning with a Europa League clash against former manager Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce. Onana feels a recent victory against Brentford has uplifted team morale. “Winning brings great energy and confidence, and we are determined to succeed in Turkey,” he said.
He believes that focusing on a robust defense will be key as the team prepares for a grueling schedule. “We have become more compact and controlled, which is critical for our success moving forward,” Onana noted, reinforcing the team’s commitment to improve and elevate performance as they strive for a winning streak.
Onana concluded with a message of resilience, recognizing that growth comes from learning from mistakes while maintaining a strong foundational philosophy: “We must not forget the principles that brought us success, even in difficult times. Adapting is essential, yet our core identity must remain intact.”
