Manchester United fell to a 4-3 defeat in their opening UEFA Champions League match against Bayern Munich and goalkeeper André Onana has accepted the responsibility for the defeat.
The Red Devils had taken the game to their Bavarian opponents at the Allianz Arena for the first 25 minutes of the game. They had a couple of chances but failed to make anything of them. Bayern took back control for a few minutes but United kept up with them until against the run of play, Leroy Sane scored.
The former Manchester City forward’s shot slipped under Onana’s arms and slowly rolled into the back of the net. The Cameroon international was left visibly dejected after the error. He let in three more goals but his side fought back to reduce the goal difference to a point, which helped them regain their footing in the group.
Social media went agog with different opinions and criticism of the former AFC Ajax goalkeeper who has put up an air of confidence since making the switch from Internazionale in Italy to Old Trafford.
The 27-year-old shot-stopper, in a moment of self-awareness, accepted the responsibility for the defeat. He pointed out his error which led to Sane’s goal as the turning point in the match. Onana mentioned this to the TNT Sports journalist who sought him out after the game when he was approached for his full-time thoughts.
“It’s difficult, you know,” he admitted. “It’s difficult to lose this way because I feel in the beginning, we started very good. After my mistake, we lost the control of the game. You know, it’s a difficult situation and for me especially because I’m the one who let the team down. But the team was very good, I think it’s because of me, that they didn’t win this game.”
“So I’m happy for the work of the team. We just have to move on. This is the life of the goalkeeper and, if we didn’t win today, it is because of me.”
“I think we were very good on the ball,” Onana continued. “They didn’t create any chances. The first shot on target, I made a mistake so I think it was the keeper and the team went down because of that mistake.”
“Well, I have to learn from it, be strong and move on. It is not an easy situation. I am very happy with the comeback of the team and fighting until the end but, because of me, we didn’t win.”
“I have to recognise that, because of me, we didn’t win.”
