Manchester United want to improve their build-up play and Andre Onana has not hidden away by stressing his intent to bait pressure from opponents.
We often joked last season about fans suffering from heartburn as a result of Onana’s risk-taking.
The Cameroon goalkeeper believes United will improve building from the back this season and says fans should be prepared for him taking plenty of risks.
“Yes, that’s me,” Onana told The Telegraph. “And I think it’s what you’re going to see this season because I will take a lot of risks.
“I can tell you in advance already! Be prepared because it’s going to be this season, trust me! I will enjoy it even more when this season starts.
“The best teams in the world take risks. Building from the back, recognise things, situations, when the opponent jumps one against one, or when they press with three or with four.
“So for me it’s important to recognise those kinds of things and make the best decision for the team. I will take a lot of responsibility and I think my back is huge to carry it all, no? I think it’s going to be nice this season.”
Onana starts the new season with a point to prove. After a mixed start to life at the club, our No.1’s form drastically improved after the Africa Cup of Nations.
United hired Jelle ten Rouwelaar as first-team goalkeeping coach earlier this summer and it is understood that he is suited to working with keepers like Onana, who are renowned for building attacks from the back. Ten Rouwelaar coached at Burnley, NAC Breda and the Dutch U20 national team.
Onana believes the criticism he and United received last term was warranted but expects significant improvement this time around.
“Being a player for Manchester United, when you don’t win, it’s fair to receive criticism because it’s part of the job,” he said.
“We are here for it and me coming here as the best goalkeeper in the world, it’s normal they were tough on me because they expect a lot from me.
“But at the same time they also give me a lot of love. You just have to balance that and critics sometimes are good because you have to look back at what you did that was not good, so for me I take it positively.”
When asked if his best form was still to come, Onana added: “One hundred per cent. I don’t think it was good enough last season because I’m coming from playing in the Champions League final [with Inter].
“[Winning] the FA Cup is important but not enough for Manchester United. The targets have to be really high and we will go for it this season.
“I’m really excited about the new signings and I think with the way my team-mates are working hard every day, I’m very positive.
“As the best club in the country, the perspective is always high — it’s to win everything, fight for every single game, be more consistent. We already showed in the past games we can beat anyone so we’re going to fight to win everything.”
The former Ajax keeper was also asked about adapting to a new keeper coach, who has already received praise from Tom Heaton this summer.
“[My impressions are] very good – very good. I had a very good relationship also with Richard, he was a really good guy and helped us a lot, especially when I came here and faced difficulties. He was there for me so I thank him for all he did for me and I think all the goalkeepers were very happy with him.
“Now the club decide to move on and bring someone else and we are working together and we are happy to work with Jelle.
“Every person is different. He has his own way to work, it’s nice, we are having fun and enjoying it but the most important thing is for the team to win.”
Subscribe to the Stretty News podcast Strettycast for weekly episodes on Manchester United. You can also sign up to the ad-free Stretty Newsletter. Get the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.
Oh great, just great. Dodgy keeper promises to become even dodgier, and kindly says he’ll accept the blame if it’s his fault we drop points.
Fabulous.
Can’t wait.
Actually, this is close to surreal: a professional footballer in THE most important position sends “a warning” to his own long-suffering supporters. I mean: wtf? W.T.A.F?
Can anyone picture Stepney, Schmeichel, Van der Saar sending such a ‘warning’?
What’s going on??