ANDRE ONANA summed up the chaos at Manchester United by claiming: “I’ll play as a striker if I need to!”
With Bruno Fernandes suspended and nine others injured, boss Erik ten Hag employed full-back Noussair Mazraoui as a No 10 in the 1-1 Europa League draw against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce on Thursday.
Onana suggested Mazraoui did not want to play in such an advanced role as Ten Hag shuffled his pack, benching 21-year-old Danish centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund.
The Cameroonian keeper — who made an extraordinary first-half double save to deny two Youssef En-Nesyri headers — started behind yet another new central-defensive partnership in Istanbul, with Victor Lindelof lining up alongside Matthijs de Ligt.
And Onana, 28, said: “I have no problem with any of my guys because I have the feeling when you wear this shirt, you have to be able to play each position for them.
“We had Mazraoui as No 10. I don’t know if he wanted to play there, but for the team, you have to take it.
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“And Casemiro did a lot of times last season (play in central defence). If I have to play striker, I will do it. So for the team, we have to be able to be pragmatic.”
United have scored just seven times in eight Premier League matches this term ahead of tomorrow’s visit to West Ham — and remarkably they have gone a whole YEAR without winning a European tie.
But Onana, who has already let in 14 goals this term, said: “It will come. Everything in life is temporary. It will come, if not today. It will be tomorrow. Also us as defenders, we have to take responsibility.
“We were leading 1-0, and I start to question myself, because maybe I need to do things better, my defenders as well.
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“I don’t think we have to look at the strikers because they are trying.
“The chances are there and at the moment the ball is not going in the net, but it will come. We lose together. We win together.
Man Utd ratings vs Fenerbahce: Onana saves the day for Red Devils as Lindelof has a stinker
MANCHESTER UNITED were held to a 1-1 draw by Fenerbahce on a disappointing night in Turkey.
Christian Eriksen broke the deadlock for Erik ten Hag’s side in the first half before En-Nesyri levelled soon after the break.
Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho was sent to the stands in the second half after a touchline tantrum.
But the Red Devils could find a much-needed winner for Erik ten Hag.
SunSport’s Emillia Hawkins rates the performances…
Andre Onana – 7
Made an outstanding double save in the 37th minute to keep two attempts from Youssef En-Nesyri out.
His defenders could’ve done much better to prevent Fenerbahce’s goal.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Failed to track back at times and had his blushes saved in the first half by Ugarte, who made a crucial tackle on Dusan Tadic to prevent a goal.
Matthijs de Ligt – 6
Made some good blocks during the first half to keep Fenerbahce at bay.
Missed a few chances from set-pieces after the break.
Victor Lindelof – 4
Failed to follow En-Nesyri for Fenerbahce’s opening goal and made no attempt to win the ball.
Hauled off in the 54th minute.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
Like Lindelof, he did not apply any pressure to En-Nesyri for the hosts’ first goal. Poor communication from both.
Christian Eriksen – 7
Broke the deadlock for United with a great strike into the top-left corner from the edge of the box.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
Won the ball in the build-up to the first goal and saved Man Utd from conceding with a fantastic last-ditch tackle in front of goal in the 22nd minute.
Was lucky to avoid giving away a penalty after the break.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
Didn’t look too out of place starting in the No10 position. Played a role in the build-up to the goal, passing the ball to Zirkzee who got the assist.
Eventually moved into left-back, allowing Martinez to move central.
Marcus Rashford – 5
Played out of preferred position and started on the right as opposed to the left.
Didn’t make too much of an impact on the game.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Played a key role in the build-up to Erikson’s goal by making a direct run into the box.
Challenged Dominik Livakovic a few times and looked lively.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
A poor overall performance from the striker despite providing the assist for Eriksen’s opener.
Failed to make much of an impact and was hauled off in the 54th minute.
“We are in the second or third position (for chances created), and the most important thing is creating chances.
“So if we don’t create any chances, then we all have to worry.
“We have to be patient. And I know my guys, that’s what they train for. And I’m very happy, the way they fight. The issue is that we are not winning. We don’t score goals and it will come.”
Onana claims that he is only just starting to feel comfortable at Old Trafford after his move from Inter Milan in the summer of 2023 in a deal worth £47.2million.
He said: “I came here as the best goalkeeper in the world, and I have a difficult period. People need time to adapt. It took me a year to feel good here. Now I feel home.
“I’m happy but the team is above everything because my defenders cannot do anything more for me, they are making tackles, blocking shots for me. They make things very easy for me.”
Onana refused to revel in his remarkable double save from En-Nesyri after the same player headed a second-half equaliser to earn a point for Mourinho’s side which left United 21st in the Europa League table with just three points.
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He said: “I don’t really think about it. All I care about is the victory of the team. When we come to such a place we have to win.
“Everyone is disappointed with the result. So I don’t give that much importance to the save.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
