Onana thanks fans for 'amazing' support
Andre Onana was the clear choice for United's Player of the Month award in March, and the Cameroonian says the accolade is a symbol of his increasing adjustment to life in Manchester.
The 28-year-old joined from Internazionale last summer, and endured a challenging start to life as a Red during his first few months.
But, particularly since the turn of the year, Onana has emerged as one of United's most consistent players in an inconsistent season.
March was arguably his most impressive month yet, due to a clean sheet against Everton and strong performances in the manic 4-3 win over Liverpool, the 1-1 draw at Brentford and an otherwise disappointing derby against Manchester City.
But, particularly since the turn of the year, Onana has emerged as one of United's most consistent players in an inconsistent season.
March was arguably his most impressive month yet, due to a clean sheet against Everton and strong performances in the manic 4-3 win over Liverpool, the 1-1 draw at Brentford and an otherwise disappointing derby against Manchester City.
Onana: I'm starting to feel at home Video
Onana: I'm starting to feel at home
Interview | Andre Onana discusses winning his first United Player of the Month award, and life as a Red...
Andre recently sat down with club media's Mark Sullivan to reflect on claiming his first individual prize since joining, and expressed his gratitude towards United fans for sticking with him despite those early teething problems.
“It's always a nice feeling when you know you can count on them, you know?” admitted Onana, “especially after a tough season, because it's been a really difficult season. When you have this kind of reward – especially coming from the fans – it's a nice feeling.
“It's a reward for the hard work and a lot of hours behind [the scenes] working with my team-mates, my coaches, and now we have to something to celebrate. It shows how strong we've been defending, because alone you can't achieve these kind of things. But together we are stronger.”
“It's always a nice feeling when you know you can count on them, you know?” admitted Onana, “especially after a tough season, because it's been a really difficult season. When you have this kind of reward – especially coming from the fans – it's a nice feeling.
“It's a reward for the hard work and a lot of hours behind [the scenes] working with my team-mates, my coaches, and now we have to something to celebrate. It shows how strong we've been defending, because alone you can't achieve these kind of things. But together we are stronger.”
Onana’s top five saves from March Video
Onana’s top five saves from March
Onana’s March highlights | Andre made great stops in all four fixtures to deservedly win Player of the Month…
Despite our disappointing campaign so far, Onana is optimistic about a positive end to 2023/24, with the upcoming Emirates FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City representing a big opportunity to take a step closer to what matters at United: winning silverware.
“It's very exciting,” he said, when asked about the thrill of playing at Wembley on Sunday.
“But as I've always said: playing for this beautiful club, you must win. It's a semi-final of course; we are going there to win.
“It's a very good opponent and this game is going to be tough, but we are Manchester United so we must be there ready for them.”
“It's very exciting,” he said, when asked about the thrill of playing at Wembley on Sunday.
“But as I've always said: playing for this beautiful club, you must win. It's a semi-final of course; we are going there to win.
“It's a very good opponent and this game is going to be tough, but we are Manchester United so we must be there ready for them.”
United reached two major cup finals last season, in Erik ten Hag's first term at the club, while Onana was one of the standout players for Inter in the Champions League final.
The hope is that a happy, confident goalkeeper can help the Reds go one better in this season's FA Cup, and the vibe from Andre's latest interview suggests that he is very much in that space.
The hope is that a happy, confident goalkeeper can help the Reds go one better in this season's FA Cup, and the vibe from Andre's latest interview suggests that he is very much in that space.
“Manchester? It's a nice city, people are nice here,” he said. “I feel welcome here; people treat me very good here. Of course, I was in Milan last season and the season before I was in Amsterdam. I had a great time there, and we achieved a lot of big things together, but I'm very happy to be here.”
You can watch Andre's interview in full further up this page, to get more of his thoughts on life as a Red, his relationship with our other goalkeepers, and life away from football.
You can watch Andre's interview in full further up this page, to get more of his thoughts on life as a Red, his relationship with our other goalkeepers, and life away from football.
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