Andre Onana has shared incredible insight into both the pros and cons of what Erik ten Hag is trying to achieve with his tactics at Manchester United.
The 28-year-old Manchester United shot-stopper reunited with Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford last summer after he was snapped up from Serie A side Inter Milan.
Andre Onana played under United manager Ten Hag at Dutch outfit Ajax and is all too familiar with the demands of the 54-year-old Dutchman.
The former Inter Milan and Ajax star succeeded United legend David de Gea between the sticks and initially faced a tough start to life at Old Trafford.
Onana weathered fierce criticism after he was at fault for howlers in the Champions League, with United crashing out of the competition earlier this season.
However, the Cameroonian shot-stopper settled more into his role at the club as the season progressed and impressed during Premier League matches.
Onana talks Ten Hag’s tactics at Man Utd
Andre Onana came fifth in the race for the Premier League Golden Glove this season and managed to keep nine clean sheets in the league for Manchester United.
However, the United No 1 has not had an easy time amid the club’s injury-hit defence and the barrage of shots that Onana has faced this season.
Onana became a key signing for Erik ten Hag due to his ability to play out from the back with his feet, something that David de Gea lacked during his time at the club.
Speaking on The Overlap, the former Ajax and Inter Milan shot-stopper revealed the importance of playing passes out from the back when he would receive the ball.
Onana insisted that playing the ball back to him would “create space” for United and allow them to read what the opposition team would do next before striking back.
However, the United player added that one “problem” with such a tactic can be that it becomes difficult to “see who is free” while in possession of the ball.
“Manchester United are a big club, we cannot run behind the ball and hide – we want to have more possession,” Onana said.
“Playing back to me, we try to create space – I have to be clever, fast-thinking and see what the opponent is going to do.
“Sometimes the opponent’s centre-back will jump onto your midfielder or striker. If he doesn’t jump, that means we have plus one [option]. I have to recognise that and find the free man.
“Sometimes that is the problem, because you have the ball, and you don’t see who is free. It depends on how they press – if they press with 10 or if they press with the winger, it depends.
“Some teams know you’re very good with the feet, or you are a very intelligent player, have good skills or you are fast. So, they prepare how to block you, especially in this league.”
Onana is hopeful that Man Utd tactics will pay off
Onana was forced into action on plenty of occasions this season and had saved more shots in the 2023-24 Premier League season than any other shot-stopper.
The United star, who also had the best save percentage in the Premier League this season, is hopeful that the Red Devils can improve going forward.
“It’s a price to pay. Everything is temporary – last season they didn’t face that, and I’m 100 per cent sure that next season we will not face that,” Onana admitted.
“It’s football: I think it’s about moments, and we faced a lot of injury crises, lost a lot of important players – but, of course, it’s not an excuse.
“It’s just a bad season for all of us, and we have to stay positive as we are doing at the moment. I know everything will be alright – if not this season, it will be next year.”
