Andre Onana has told Manchester United fans they are wasting their time by getting impatient and frustrated with him. United supporters voiced their dismay at Onana’s unwillingness to release the ball early to start counter-attacks in Sunday’s drab goalless derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford.
But Onana hit back at the criticism from the stands and explained he decided to hold on to the ball to allow his United team-mates a breather, with Pep Guardiola‘s side dominating possession.
“To be honest, it doesn’t affect me, because the decision I make is to help the team,” said Onana. “Sometimes I’ll make the right decision, sometimes I’ll make the wrong decision. When I feel my players need to rest, I have to take my time, when I feel we need to speed up the game, I will do it.
“But sometimes, especially in the second half, with an opponent that has a lot of control and they have more possession than us, I have to let my guys breathe. They need me to do that. If the team needs to speed up the game, I will do it. I try to make the best decision for the team.”
United’s focus now turns to Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final, first leg tie away at Lyon, a competition that could yet salvage their worst season in recent memory.
Despite United’s woeful domestic form this season, they have advanced in the Europa League and Onana is convinced they are a better team than Lyon, fifth in Ligue 1.
“We all know the importance of this game and we will go there with the winning mentality,” said Onana. “It’s not our best season, but we still have something to win and we will go for it. It’s a very good team, we know some of them, but I don’t think we have to focus on them. It’s more about us, what we’re going to do.
“I think we’re better than them. We just have to go there and show who we are. If we go there with a winning mentality and are focused, stay compact and together and we follow the game plan, we will be winning the game. Of course, It’s not going to be easy, but I think we are way better than them.
“You always feel a bit of pressure when you wear this jersey – the club is so big. It’s not our best season and we want to do this so badly, sometimes get frustrated and of course you feel the pressure because you’re playing for Manchester United.
“Sometimes it’s an extra motivation to play in front of our fans. We want to win this for them, we want to win this to make history, but the situation is not there yet, we have to be patient, we feel them and we work hard to turn this situation.”
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