Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has revealed the Reds' ambitions ahead of the new season, and he's putting no limits on what the team can achieve.
Now with a full season under his belt at Old Trafford, and an extensive career history at top European clubs, the United gloveman is a key senior player within the group and takes that role with the seriousness it deserves.
A successful debut campaign in Manchester saw him play an instrumental role in our trophy-winning season last term, appearing in all but one of the Reds' 52 games in 2023/24.
After a summer break, Onana is ready to jump straight back in and build on last season's successes, using all his experience to lead from the back and guide the side to even greater things this time around.
“The mood is top,”
the goalkeeper said, speaking to United Review, our official matchday programme, which is available to buy now. “We are all excited now for the coming season.
”We are happy to see everyone back, because we are like a family. We have a very good relationship with each other. So yes, it's good. Very positive to have everyone back and hopefully we have everyone fit as well, as soon as possible, because we are hungry to start.“
All family units need strong guidance, especially for the younger members, and Onana recognises how important his role is in providing that steering light, creating the time and space for them to develop in a high-pressure environment.
He said: ”We have Kobbie [Mainoo], we have Garna [Alejandro Garnacho], we have Amad. I think that's something nice, and we will give them time. You have to know the Premier League is not easy, it is the biggest competition in the world, so this season might be difficult for them, but they are young, we will give them time.
“We, as leaders, have the responsibility and it doesn't matter what happens, we'll be there to support them in each situation.”
As a leader within the squad, the Cameroonian sees his role mentoring the younger member of the squad on a par with his own responsibilities on the pitch, giving them the platform to succeed and shielding them in tougher times.
“We're used to playing for big clubs and we're used to playing in big games,”
Onana said. “We are here because this chalenge is huge, this is why they brought me and other important players here.
”Also young players, to be honest we were like them years ago. We give them experience, we take the responsibility when the team needs it and also we give them freedom.
“As the end of the day, football is about freedom and they have to be free. We are there to take all the bullets.”
Providing the younger contigent with faith and freedom paid dividends and then some at the end of last season, with Garnacho and Mainoo both getting on the scoresheet in our triumph over Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
Netting that major piece of silverware, against our crosstown rivals, was an incredible achievement and has set the bar high heading into the new campaign, but Onana already had lofty ambitions.
Asked whether that trophy gives a hunger for more this term, Onana replied: “For sure, 100 per cent. But it's not enough. Being a Manchester United player, you must win everything. You have to try and win everything. Each year you have to at least try to have one trophy.
”Now big opportunties are coming, so we have to take the opportunity, because it's time to do everything on the pitch. When I see how we are training, when I see how my players are working hard, I'm very positive.
“We want to win everything. That's what we came here for. We want to fight for the Premier League, we want to fight for the Europa League. We want to fight for the Carabao Cup, we want to fight for the FA Cup, because it's very important for us as a club.”
The first of those opportunities to make a case for major silverware arrives this Friday, under the floodlights at Old Trafford, as we embark on the new Premier League season against Fulham.
Friday-night fixtures are not a common occurrence in the Reds' diary, but the United goalkeeper's only thought is being back with our passionate supporters inside the Theatre of Dreams.
“Yeah, it's unusual, but for me as a player it's extra motivation to start the first game at Old Trafford in front our fans,”
he said. “There's no better way to start the season. I can't wait to play in front of them and I know [the same goes] for my team-mates as well. We are making the preparations to win that game and we are going to win this game.
”Every game is a final, so our finals start on Friday.“
Manchester United take on Fulham at Old Trafford this Friday, in the Premier League's opening game of the 2024/25 season. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 BST.
Onana was speaking to United Review, our official matchday programme, which will be available to buy around the stadium on the day. Alternatively, you can order a copy online here or subscribe to receive the next 12 or 26 issues.