Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has acknowledged the challenges of stepping into the shoes of David de Gea, especially after a tough start to the season.
In the English Premier League, the Cameroonian has already conceded 10 goals in five games, including three in a recent loss to Brighton and Hove Albion.
Despite his difficulties, the 27-year-old accompanied the Red Devils to Germany for their UEFA Champions League opener against Bayern Munich in Group A on Wednesday.
Onana started by expressing his delight at being a part of Manchester United and emphasising the unity within the team.
“Replacing David [De Gea] is not something easy. I am trying to do my best,” he said at the pre-match press conference.
The ex-Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper maintains his confidence that the team will bounce back from their sluggish start, starting with the match in Munich.
“Of course, the start of the season is not what we want. Better days will come, the situation will turn and I am very confident. I know everything will be alright,” he added.
Onana arrived in the summer transfer window from Inter Milan after leading the Italian giants to the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League, as reported by Manchester United’s official website.
Onana gets FIFA best goalkeeper nomination
Sports Brief has previously reported on Morocco’s Yassine Bounou and Cameroon’s Onana being nominated for FIFA’s ‘best goalkeeper award’ after stellar years under review.
The Africans excelled at both club and country and will battle with Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Ederson of Manchester City for the award.
Onana, currently a member of Manchester United, guided Inter Milan to the Champions League final, while Bounou played a pivotal role as Morocco achieved a historic feat by reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.