Man Utd's goalkeeper Andre Onana fully accepted the blame for his mistake in the 4-3 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, describing it as "one of the poorest performances I have ever had." The Cameroon international, who was brought in for £47.2m from Inter Milan this summer as a replacement for David De Gea, committed a disastrous error when Leroy Sane's shot managed to slip beneath his body and resulted in Bayern's first goal.
The Germans emerged victorious in the Group A opener with a 4-3 win, despite a late rally from the opposing team. Nevertheless, the majority of the damage had already been inflicted, and Onana acknowledged that his initial experience at Man Utd did not unfold as anticipated.
Onana expressed to TNT Sport, "Losing in this manner is challenging since we began on a positive note, but following my error, we relinquished control of the game."
It is a challenging predicament for both myself and the team, as I feel responsible for letting them down. Although the team performed admirably, our loss in this game can be attributed to my shortcomings.
I appreciate the collective effort of the team, but it is imperative that we focus on the future – such is the nature of being a goalkeeper. The reason behind our defeat today lies solely with me.
I made a critical error during their first shot on target, which ultimately caused the team to falter. Despite the difficulty of the situation, I must strive to learn from my mistake, remain resilient, and forge ahead. I take solace in the team's commendable comeback, as we never ceased our fight until the very end.
There is much that I still need to demonstrate and validate. My initial performance in Manchester has been far from satisfactory, falling short of my own expectations. Today's display was unfortunately one of my poorest showings.
As a large club with a desire for victory in all competitions, it presents a challenge for us. Nevertheless, the situation we are currently confronting provided us with a valuable chance to recover. This period is undoubtedly difficult, and it calls for unity and unwavering dedication to our work.
Onana's introduction to the Premier League generated significant attention, particularly due to Wolves not receiving a late penalty despite the goalkeeper's foul on Sasa Kalajdzic. Additionally, he conceded a goal from a 45-yard lob during a pre-season friendly against Lens.
Despite the goalkeeper taking responsibility for his mistake, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag emphasized the importance of collective accountability due to his team's defensive struggles throughout the season. This season, United has conceded a total of 14 goals in all competitions, the highest among all Premier League teams. Additionally, they have suffered the setback of conceding three or more goals in three consecutive games in all competitions, a feat not achieved since December 1978 when Dave Sexton was the manager.
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Andre Onana acknowledged that his initial experience at Manchester United has been far from satisfactory. Ten Hag expressed his approval of Onana admitting his error, emphasizing the importance of unity within the team and the need to recover collectively from mistakes.
"When three goals are scored and one player makes an error, it is crucial to quickly move on. We must maintain the belief that we can recover, and tonight we proved just that. It is crucial to remain focused and resilient, even in the face of mistakes.
During the initial 25 minutes of the game, we outperformed Munich. However, their goal was disappointingly simple to score. It is not solely Andre's fault; Sane's effortless breakthrough highlights the importance of determination. Allowing opposing players easy access is something we must eliminate. This is where we must solidify our position as an unstoppable, cohesive team in order to secure victories."
Ten Hag disappointed with manner of conceded goals
Reflecting on the game overall, Ten Hag was disappointed at how easily Bayern were able to take shots, which increased dramatically after their opening goal.
Man Utd dominated the first 25 minutes but failed to capitalize on their advantage, whereas the Germans showcased their efficiency by converting their limited chances. Interestingly, their two goals in the first half were the only shots on target they managed to create.
Expressing disappointment, he expressed, "It's disheartening that we couldn't remain competitive throughout the match. Scoring three goals against Bayern should have guaranteed us at least a point."
In the face of significant challenges, we must take control of our own destiny. Failing to adhere to the rules and principles of our game leads to conceding goals, although we have had the opportunity to face three formidable teams in our recent matches.
Each game holds significant value and demands our utmost attention. We cannot rely on anyone else for assistance. If we reflect on the first 25 minutes, it becomes evident that we should aim to score. However, should that not be the case, it is crucial to remain focused and prevent the opponents from scoring, as we unfortunately allowed in our previous game.
"It's not only about that mistake as even before that it was too easy for the player to have a shot. You have to be consistent in such moments then you will win games."
Kane excited by Bayern team
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Harry Kane netted a goal for Bayern Munich, extending their lead to 3-1 against Man Utd, with his debut score in the Champions League. He skillfully converted a penalty kick following Christian Eriksen's handball, which was identified by VAR.
Kane, who has been performing exceptionally well since joining Germany, not only helped in Sane's goal but also expresses his excitement for the team's promising future.
"I always enjoy scoring, but there is still room for improvement," said Kane to TNT Sport.
"As a striker, I am aware that opportunities will come my way. Playing alongside creative players brings a sense of excitement, although we are still in the process of familiarizing ourselves with each other. The future holds great promise, especially if we continue our current performance and enhance our understanding.
"When there is a significant price tag involved, expectations naturally arise, and there is a desire to repay the club's trust. Thankfully, we have had a fantastic start. While we are considered strong contenders, our primary focus is on successfully completing our group stage matches and, subsequently, anticipating the knockout games."
"They [Man Utd] are currently facing a challenging period and dealing with several injuries. Despite their difficulties, they possess a great deal of talent and have the ability to swiftly change the momentum of games by scoring. Personally, I am not overly concerned about their situation. My focus lies on our own team. I am certain that they will enhance their performance and return to their best form. However, I am solely concentrated on our team and am thoroughly enjoying our current progress."
Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel also expressed satisfaction with Kane's debut in European competition for the club, stating: "In today's match, we utilized him in a different position, allowing him to contribute by setting up and leveraging our speed on the flanks."
In the second half, we observed a higher level of engagement from him, similar to most of the team. His performance became more fluid and particularly notable in the half spaces, which gradually began to unfold.
Furthermore, he capitalized on several opportunities, which is expected and appreciated from a player in the No9 position. Notably, he successfully converted a crucial penalty, allowing us to regain a two-goal advantage shortly after conceding. This development ensures that everything is in order.