“Why would we?” Andre Onana makes an absurd Man Utd allegation following the draw with Liverpool
On Sunday afternoon, Manchester United’s goalkeeper Andre Onana has said that Erik ten Hag’s team “came to win” at Anfield against Liverpool.
From the beginning of the game, the Red Devils defended their position, and in the ninety minutes, they managed just one shot on goal, zero cornerbacks, and thirty-two percent of the possession.
United’s decision not to challenge Liverpool head-to-head may have been influenced by the 7-0 outcome of their Merseyside fixture in March.
Though Onana didn’t see things that way, few could argue that the opposition should play for more than one point. When asked if he was happy to have won a portion of the game’s spoils following the final whistle, the former Inter Milan goalie said, “Not bad.” We came here to win, so it could be better.
“We are Manchester United, we didn’t have the result we wanted so we have to keep fighting. Playing for such a big club, you have a big responsibility to try and win every game. We unfortunately didn’t win, but we will keep our head up and look forward to the coming games.”
Pushed further on whether expectations at Old Trafford are sky-high if the mentality of the squad was to leave Anfield victorious, Onana told beIN SPORTS: “Of course. We are Manchester United. Why would we start to play the game if you don’t want to win? It’s better if we stay at Carrington [United’s training ground]. If you come here, it is to win. It doesn’t matter who we play, we are one of the best clubs in the world.”
Although coming away from Anfield with a clean sheet to his name, this was far from a vintage performance from United’s summer recruit. Onana kicked the ball into the stands on multiple occasions and came close to being caught when the away side insisted on playing out from the back. Explaining why Ten Hag’s side stuck to this approach, the 27-year-old said: “We want them [Liverpool] to press.
“They press with high intensity and I made sure I picked the right choice, at the right moment, and I have to wait for the right mood for my players. When they give me the ball, I look at what Jonny [Evans] is doing, what Harry [Maguire] is doing, what Rapha [Varane] is doing. My midfielders are moving, so I have to pick the right choice.
“I have to see if one centre-back from them jumps to our midfielder. If the defender doesn’t jump, it doesn’t mean we have plus one, if the defender jumps, we have one against one. There are so many things I have to try and scan before they give me the ball. It’s not easy receiving [the ball] when you see pressure from Salah and Nunez, but it’s nice and I like to do it.”