Manchester United star Andre Onana has admitted that four senior first-team players at Old Trafford can take fierce criticism “when things are going wrong.”
Andre Onana reunited with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag last summer after the Red Devils signed him in a deal worth £47.2m from Inter Milan.
The 28-year-old Cameroonian shot-stopper, who impressed with Inter Milan last season, had previously played under Erik ten Hag at Dutch side Ajax.
Onana had high expectations placed on his shoulders, with the former Ajax and Inter Milan star succeeding United legend David de Gea between the sticks.
The United No 1 weathered a difficult start to life at Old Trafford after Onana made costly mistakes in the Champions League earlier this season.
Ten Hag kept faith with Onana amid his blunders in the Champions League and the Cameroon international appeared more comfortable as the season progressed.
Onana managed to keep nine clean sheets in the league this season, falling seven short of David Raya in the race for the Premier League Golden Glove award.
Onana talks four Man Utd stars
Speaking on The Overlap, Andre Onana insisted that Manchester United are “under construction” and he arrived in the Red Devils squad to “take bullets.”
The United star admitted that he was one of four players who can weather the criticism, with Onana insisting that the younger players should not be targeted.
According to Onana, United captain Bruno Fernandes is another Red Devils player ready to take the brutal criticism when “things are going wrong.”
Bruno Fernandes has faced criticism this season over his antics on the field and lack of consistency, despite his integral presence in the United first team.
Onana also pointed to the likes of former United captain Harry Maguire and Casemiro as thick-skinned players at Old Trafford.
“For me, I don’t pay attention to it. I have come into this team to take bullets, because we are under construction – at the moment, we are not the best,” Onana said.
“We have other teams who are doing better than us and we have to be honest and recognise that.
“If things and when things are going wrong, don’t go for the youngest player – I’m here to take it, Bruno [Fernandes], Casemiro and Harry [Maguire] are there and we are used to it.
“When it’s people who were sitting where I’m sitting, who won everything, sometimes it’s bizarre – we are in the same boat.
“We try to follow your thing and what you did. For me, I don’t mind, but other people may be affected. For me, to be honest, it’s just a part of the game.”
Onana praises Man Utd star Maguire
Harry Maguire had a notable transformation at Old Trafford this season after he was stripped of the captaincy last summer and his future at United was in bleak territory.
The 31-year-old United defender remained at Old Trafford for the current campaign, despite interest from Premier League side West Ham in 2023.
Maguire stepped up for United manager Erik ten Hag amid an injury-plagued backline and the England defender impressed with his performances.
Onana admitted that it was “terrifying” to see the criticism that Maguire endured and admired how the Three Lions star “showed a lot of character” during the period.
“I’ll tell you a small example. I have Harry in the dressing room. When you see what he went through,” he said.
“What Harry faced, it was terrifying. He’s a big man, he showed a lot of character – now he’s back and he’s one of the best we have.
“It’s important to look at this kind of example because he passed through a difficult situation. Now he’s back and we move forward.
“I’m happy because we have good people around us, especially at this club, who helped me so much.”