Manchester United secured a 2-1 victory over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League, but the match was marred by another mistake from goalkeeper Andre Onana. Despite the Cameroonian shot-stopper’s blunder, which led to Plzen’s opening goal, United captain Bruno Fernandes was quick to defend his teammate, expressing strong belief in Onana’s abilities.
Onana’s Mistake Leads to Plzen Goal
The incident occurred early in the second half when Onana attempted a pass to Matthijs de Ligt, but the ball was poorly played and lacked pace. The Czech side’s Pavel Sulc seized the opportunity, intercepting the pass before setting up Matej Vydra to score the opening goal of the match.
Though Onana’s error was costly, the game ultimately ended in victory for United. Rasmus Højlund’s late brace secured United’s first win in European competition away from Old Trafford since March 2023. However, Onana’s mistake was still a talking point post-match, following a series of recent errors.
Fernandes Steps Up to Defend Onana
This wasn’t the first time Onana had been at fault in recent matches. The goalkeeper had also been criticized for his involvement in two of the goals conceded during United’s disappointing 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest last weekend. Despite these mistakes, Bruno Fernandes, who captained the side in the absence of other leaders, insisted that the squad has “huge belief” in Onana.
In an interview with TNT Sports, Fernandes was quick to quash any negative sentiment surrounding Onana. He explained, “We want to play from the back. We have to make the decision that is the right one. Andre thought that Matty [De Ligt] could get to the ball, he missed the pass, they scored a goal, but that’s nothing that we have to focus about.”
Fernandes emphasized that the focus should not be on individual mistakes, stating, “You have to focus on what’s the best solution that we can do in the future, but it’s not about Andre making the mistake. We don’t look at individuals here when something happens in the wrong side or the good side.”
The Manchester United captain continued, reaffirming his support for Onana. “We have huge belief in Andre,” Fernandes said. “He knows he made a mistake, we don’t need to tell him, and he’s going to help us many times coming out from the back. We trust his qualities on the ball.”
Viktoria Plzen’s Tactical Approach
Viktoria Plzen’s coach, Miroslav Koubek, had acknowledged that his side’s strategy was to exploit Onana’s distribution. In the pre-match build-up, Koubek had described the fixture as “a football holiday for the whole city,” a sentiment that reflected the excitement surrounding the game. Despite the loss, Koubek remained positive, praising his players for their efforts against a superior opponent.
After the match, Koubek admitted that Plzen’s approach had been to press Onana and capitalize on his mistakes. “Yes, that was our tactic. I told them to shoot from every viable opportunity,” said the Plzen manager. This “shoot-on-site” approach led to only two attempts on target, one of which was saved by Onana, while the other resulted in the goal. However, Koubek’s strategy was somewhat thwarted, as Onana ultimately avoided further errors and made key saves to preserve the win.
Onana’s Form and Future
While Onana’s recent performances have been scrutinized due to the mistakes, it is important to note that he has shown positive form throughout the season, often making key saves and playing an integral role in United’s build-up play. The goalkeeper’s distribution has been one of his standout attributes since joining the club, and although his error against Viktoria Plzen was costly, United’s defenders and midfielders continue to trust his abilities.
The pressure on Onana to perform at the highest level is significant, but Fernandes’ public show of support underscores the team’s unity and faith in the goalkeeper. “We don’t need to tell him he made a mistake,” Fernandes noted, showing that the squad recognizes Onana’s potential for redemption.
With Onana remaining focused and determined, the team will be hopeful that the goalkeeper’s qualities will come to the fore in upcoming matches. For now, Manchester United’s supporters can rest assured that their captain’s belief in the shot-stopper remains unwavering.
Looking Ahead
As Manchester United push forward in the Europa League, they will undoubtedly face more challenges, and Onana’s performances will be key to their success. However, with the full backing of his teammates and manager, the goalkeeper will be eager to bounce back from these setbacks and continue to prove his worth at Old Trafford.
United’s next fixture will likely offer another opportunity for Onana to show his resilience, and with Fernandes leading the charge, the squad will undoubtedly be looking for a continued collective effort as they aim for European glory this season.
