By Jude Summerfield
Andre Onana has claimed Manchester United would have enjoyed a more successful second season under manager Erik ten Hag had the squad not been ravaged by injuries.
The Red Devils will bid to save their campaign somewhat on Saturday afternoon in the FA Cup final against Manchester City in a repeat of last year's encounter at Wembley Stadium at the same stage of the competition. The Cityzens won that fixture 2-1.
Reports have claimed Ten Hag is due to be dismissed from the Old Trafford dugout after United's last game of the season, but Onana claimed the Dutchman has had his hands tied due to the amount of unavailable players.
He told BBC Sport: "I'm not here to back him because he's big enough to back himself. But he's a really good guy, a positive coach and tactically he is good.
"If he had all his squad together, it would probably be different for him, for us, the club and the fans.
"We know how good City are. They are the best team at the moment and we lost twice to them already.
"But we are motivated. Beating them wouldn't make it a successful season. Playing for this club, I don't think winning the FA Cup is enough.
"But it would make things look better. We go there to win."
Onana also reflected on his teething issues since joining United. The former Ajax goalie impressed during his sole campaign with Inter but a series of high-profile mistakes damaged the new side's ambitions both in the Premier League and the Champions League.
He added: "I arrived as the best goalkeeper in the world and 'boom' it went down. It was like 'what happened?'
"But that is how difficult football is sometimes. It depends if you want to stay down there or stand up and fight. I know what I did to arrive here. I know who I am. I decided to stand up and fight."
Onana finished the league season with nine clean sheets, behind only four other goalkeepers - Golden Glove winner David Raya, Jordan Pickford, Bernd Leno and Ederson - in England's top flight.
This article was originally published on 90min.com as Andre Onana reveals why Man Utd fell apart in Erik ten Hag's second season.
