Andre Onana insists that Manchester United’s dismal record in Europe cannot be solely blamed on the club’s strikers – admitting he is even questioning himself on the back of another blown lead.
Erik ten Hag’s side have taken the lead in all three of their Europa League games so far this season, only to end up throwing them away to draw with FC Twente (1-1), FC Porto (3-3) and Fenerbahce (1-1).
United went ahead through Christian Eriksen here in Turkiye but failed to punish Jose Mourinho’s side thereafter, with Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee missing the mark in front of goal.
But Onana believes blame for United’s European record, which has seen them not win a European game in 12 months, lands at every single player’s door.
‘It will come, you know, it will come,’ he said. ‘Everything in life is temporary. It will come, if not today. It will be tomorrow.’
Andre Onana says Man United’s European struggles aren’t solely down to the club’s strikers
Onana himself pulled off a miraculous double save in the match to deny Youssef En-Nesyri
Pressed on whether the onus to turn United’s form – which has them 21st in the Europa League table sandwiched between Victoria Plzen and IF Elfsborg – is largely on the manager and his forwards, the United No 1 disagreed.
‘Also us as defenders, we have to take responsibility,’ he added.
‘We were leading one up, and I start to question myself, because to do maybe things better, my defenders as well. I don’t think we have to look at the strikers because they are trying.
‘The chances are there and at the moment the ball is not going in the net, but it will come. We lose together. We win together.’
United created 12 chances on the night, managing only five shots on target and Ten Hag himself admitted that finishing is the Achilles heel of his side right now.
‘I think we are the second or the third position (for chances created), and the most important thing is the creating chances,’ Onana said in defence of his team-mates.
‘So if we don’t create any chance, then we all have to worry. But the chances are there. They start there, so we have to be patient. And I know my guys, that’s what they train for. And I’m very happy, the way they fight.’
United have now arguably got their two toughest Europa League games out of the way in trips to Porto and Fenerbahce and they can now look ahead to three home games against PAOK, Bodo/Glimt, and Rangers, in the final five matches.
Erik ten Hag’s side have now not secured a victory in a European game for over a year
Onana, who made a superb double save, says that United are determined to improve
‘We just have to stick together which we have been doing,’ Onana continued.
‘We can fight until the end, and I think, I’m sure it will turn and when it does we are going to come out with a big smile.
‘We are determined to put it right as quickly as possible.
‘We came here to win, and we have to recognise a very good opponent. It will turn, if it was not today, it will be maybe in two weeks. But I’m sure we will turn and win games and everyone’s going to be happy.’
Attention now for Onana and Co turns to facing a similarly struggling West Ham United side in east London on Sunday in a match of huge significance for both managers.
