Cameroonian goalie Andre Onana has admitted responsibility for Manchester United’s 4-3 loss to Bayern Munich and blamed himself for failing his squad.
The Cameroonian international contributed to the first goal in a nail-biting group match at the Allianz Arena by allowing a Leroy Sane shot to slip past him.
It wasn’t a good day for the former Inter Milan goalkeeper, who has been under pressure for both himself and his defence after 14 shots found their way into his net in just six games. For the first time since 1978, the Red Devils have given up three or more goals in each of three straight games, and Onana felt solely accountable on this specific occasion.
“It’s difficult,” the 27-year-old said. “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.
“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.”
Having requested to face the media to front up for his error, Onana went on: “I have to learn from it and be strong, move on.”
“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 recognise 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.
“It was a big opportunity for us to bounce back after the situation we are facing. It’s tough, a tough time. We have to be together, we have to continue what we are doing, learn from our mistakes because it’s the only thing to do.”
Onana’s level of candour was striking, and Rio Ferdinand praised him for it, expressing his “respect” for the shot-stopper’s remarks and the “character” that was on exhibit. However, during the course of the entire 90 minutes, it was difficult to single out just one of the seven goals.
Diogo Dalot was humiliated by Jamal Musiala for the second goal, and Harry Kane scored the third goal from the penalty spot after a harsh handball ruling.The outcome of the game appeared to be in doubt in the closing minutes, but superstar substitute Mathys Tel made sure it went Bayern’s with a lot of assistance.
A switched-off Scott McTominay allowed Joshua Kimmich plenty of time to choose a game-winning assist, and Dalot and Victor Lindelof’s interpretation of Tel’s run and finish could scarcely have been worse. Ten Hag was eager to inject some reality into his troops after he heard Onana’s brutally honest remarks shortly after the game.
“It’s good he’s doing that but it’s about the team,” the Dutchman said. “Mistakes are being made but you have to bounce back as a team.
“If one player makes a mistake, it’s done, it’s gone. We have to believe as a team that we can always bounce back. Tonight we showed it.”
