Replacing De Gea is Not Something Easy, Onana Admits

Whilst speaking to the press alongside Erik Ten Hag yesterday, Manchester United’s goalkeeper Andre Onana has admitted it’s not easy taking over the reign from David Gea, barely two months into taking over from the Spaniard.

Onana revealed this during the UEFA Champions League pre-match conference in Germany ahead of United’s group stage opener against Bayern Munich today.

“Well, I’m a very passionate player and I demand a lot from my players and my defenders. But like I always said, we are in this together. Being part of this big club is something great,” said Onana in response to the journalist who asked him how he’s managing fans’ expectations of him replacing De Gea.

He added: “Manchester United is an amazing club, it’s huge. I am happy to be here. Replacing David is not something easy. I try to do my best of course. The start of the season is not what we want, but we believe better will come, the situation will turn and I am very confident. I know everything will be alright.”

The Cameroonian also stated resoundingly that he’s more than ball playing goalkeeper, saying he’s a goalkeeper first, before anything else.

He said: “Well, I don’t think I’m here because of my ability with my feet! My history speaks for me. But like I always say, the most important thing is the team.

“We are here to win and I have to adapt myself to the team. If the team needs me to be good with the feet, I will be good with the feet. If the team is playing with a low block or we are playing higher, depending on the situation, I’m the goalkeeper first of all. I have to save balls.

“That’s why I’m here. And we all have to step up. Like I said in the beginning, we didn’t start well this season, but I’m very confident everything will become right. I’m excited for tomorrow, it’s an important game for us. It’s a key game. And when I see how the team is working, how we have been working this week, I am very confident and I’m very excited.”

Later today, Manchester United will take on Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in their first CL group stage match of the season, in a game that’s poised to be keenly contested.