Following Manchester United’s 4-3 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich on Wednesday, goalkeeper Andre Onana said he let the team down with his costly mistake at the start of the match.
United lost for the fourth time in five games, and they have conceded 14 goals in their last six games across all competitions.
“It’s difficult to lose this way because I think in the beginning we started very good and after my mistake we lost control of the game, ” Onana said. “It’s a difficult situation for us, for me especially because I’m the one who let the team down. But the team were good, very good, but because of me we didn’t win the game.
“I am happy for the work of the team and we just have to move on. This is life of the goalkeeper and if we didn’t win today it’s because of me.”
Onana requested to speak with the media after his blunder in the game against Bayern.
“I have to learn from it and be strong, move on,” he told TNT Sports. “It’s not an easy situation, but I’m very happy for the comeback of the team. We were fighting until the end, but I have to recognize because of me we didn’t win.
“I have a lot to prove because, to be honest, my start in Manchester is not so good, not how I want.
“Play how I play today is one of my worst games and it’s difficult because we have big ambition, we are a very big club and we want to win everything.
“Its not only about him” – Ten Hag
Meanwhile, United’s manager Erik Ten Hag hailed Onana for his admission but said its not just about an inidvidual instead the team.
“I think he shows that he takes responsibility and shows personality and the personality he needs to get in high levels,” the United boss said during the post-match press conference.
“But that’s not only about him, it’s about the team’s performance, so we have to support him on the pitch, not only in life, we have to help him.
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Ten Hag added: “But it doesn’t only count for Andre; it counts for all the players on the pitch. They have to understand they are in the same boat, and they have to be on the same page to get results.”
The former Ajax boss believes people are exaggerating the situation, stating that Onana will recover in time for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Burnley.