Andre Onana is determined to leave behind a “difficult time” and make his mark at Manchester United after taking over from David De Gea in goal this season.
Onana had established a strong reputation in European football and played a pivotal role for Inter Milan in last season’s Champions League final against Manchester City.
The goalkeeper joined Old Trafford last summer in a reported £60 million deal. However, his transition to the Premier League did not go smoothly initially.
Criticism mounted against Onana following a series of mistakes early in the season, with his performances in the Champions League drawing particular scrutiny. However, since returning from the AFCON, Onana seems to have found his footing. Speaking to the Daily Mail, the 27-year-old reflected on his struggles at Manchester United.
“It took me six or seven months not to play well, just to feel comfortable,” he explained. “It was a challenging period for me. Now I feel much better because everything is new. It was difficult for me to settle because of various factors, including adjusting to a new country.
“But now I’m feeling good. I don’t want to dwell on my performance because I know the goalkeeper I am and I have achieved much more than what I’ve shown so far. So, for me, the most important thing is to be settled, to be happy, and I will excel,” Onana continued.
He also expressed confidence that he has turned the corner and is now ready to progress fully at United after overcoming his earlier struggles.
“I think I reached a turning point, but not on the pitch because, as I said, it was more mental due to everything being different,” he said. “Of course, I moved from Amsterdam (Ajax) to Milan last season, but that adaptation was relatively easy.
“However, it took me seven or eight months here. It was just a matter of learning and taking each game as it came. I hope we will end on a high.”
During the interview, Onana commended both his fans and teammates for their support during his challenging times earlier in the season. “They always believed in me, they told me from the beginning, ‘Andre, listen, the quality is there, it’s just a matter of time,'” he said.
“I am very grateful, especially to the supporters, the fans. They were supportive even during tough periods, and I’m very thankful. I can only express my gratitude. “I believe everything is behind me now. It’s time to move forward, and I believe that together, we will achieve great things.”
Onana will be aiming to demonstrate his improvement this weekend against local rivals Manchester City as Erik ten Hag’s side seeks to disrupt their neighbors’ title aspirations.
