Andre Onana discusses dealing with Manchester United critics in early months of Old Trafford spell.

During the scathing criticism that marked the first six months of his Manchester United career, Andre Onana’s head never dropped, and his spirit stayed unbroken. The goalkeeper refused to hide and insisted on taking responsibility.

He wanted to own up every blunder and say he was not yet working to his own standards, rather than having his teammates or Erik ten Hag explain that on his behalf.

Bruno Fernandes felt Onana was shouldering too much of the burden for what were ultimately group shortcomings and, as captain, stepped in to stop him from becoming a shield.

The squad tried to safeguard the Cameroon international, but he was refusing to allow certain negative moments to redefine his entire career.

Onana became an international at 20, a Europa League finalist the following year, and a Champions League semi-finalist aged 23.

At 24, he challenged a drug ban that nevertheless robbed him of football for nine months, despite the Court of Arbitration for Sport finding “no significant fault” against him.

Onana hurdled that with poise, delivering the Supercoppa and Coppa Italia for Inter, whom he helped drive to last year’s Champions League final against conquerors Manchester City.

His difficulties, sacrifices, and accomplishments since his formative years have brought a healthy dose of perspective.

“In life, everything is temporary and so you have to find a good balance,” Onana tells Sky Sports ahead of United’s Saturday Night Football encounter with Bournemouth.

“nor too high, nor too low… I knew six months ago that I was seen as the best. Then it can be that in six months, everything changes and you just have to deal with the situation.”

Staff at Carrington, who would typically be concerned about a new player making mistakes and being treated with widespread abuse, were instead marvelling at Onana’s strength of character.

The 28-year-old has been regarded as “the biggest positive influence at the club,” yet his humility sees him deflect the compliment to the goalkeeping department.

“We are in this together,” Onana, United’s reigning player of the month, said. “I want to thank Tom [Heaton], Altay [Bayındır], Richard [Hartis] and Craig [Mawson]. It’s been a terrible time, a difficult position, and a rough start for me. “We have to protect each other, especially when things are not going well.

“They were there with me. They told me, ‘Andre, listen, we know who you are. We were sat in front of the TV, watching you play in the Champions League semi-final. You came almost close to victory versus City in the final.

“‘So we all know who you are. Take your time. Most of the keepers who have been here at Manchester United had trouble in the beginning.’ “These are the kind of messages they were giving me, and the players also helped me so much.”

Onana didn’t mind the scathing takes in the closing months of 2023. “Critics are a part of life, especially when you reach this kind of level,” he shrugs.

“And especially beingthe best United goalkeeper after arriving from Inter. When you are new in a club, the anticipation is tremendous. If you’re lucky to have a good start, everything is very easy.

“When you don’t have a good start, you have to be strong. You have to endure, seize your opportunity, use your moment, and start to shine again.”

It’s basic math to understand why Onana is so beloved at Carrington. He is a measured thinker and emanates a natural warmth in his relationships.

His fluency in Spanish, French, English, and Italian, and his comprehension of Dutch, mark him as the ‘golden thread’ of the dressing room.

Onana has been a sounding board for the youth around the first squad and has particularly shepherded 19-year-old Willy Kambwala.

He has also been a saving grace for United in recent months, as they acquired the unpleasant distinction of having conceded the most shots of any team in Europe’s top-five leagues.

“If this year is a price to pay, I’m ready,” Onana adds, addressing the club’s defensive injury crisis, which has caused them to adopt a low-block approach that invites pressure.

“Last season, Manchester United didn’t concede so many shots. But I don’t think it’s a major issue since, at the end of the day, football is about goals and now we are scoring a lot. We’ll receive some against us sometimes, but we have defenders that work hard and we will try everything to block the shots.

“It’s the risk we take because we are a very offensive team with the quality we have in front.” Injuries have forced United into 31 different combinations at the back this season, which certainly hurts a goalkeeper’s consistency?

“Well, it’s very easy when you’re used to playing with the same back four,” Onana confesses but adds: “We are Manchester United, so every guy around the first team has the level to belong here. “Unfortunately, we have a lot of injuries but it is an opportunity for others; like Willy, who was amazing for us.

“Being a goalie is a position with a lot of responsibility. You have to be ready to play with everyone and… I can’t complain. Of course, when you are used to playing with the same line, it’s the best, but at the moment we don’t have that. “So we just have to deal with the situation, stay positive and look forward.”

Onana strays into Roy Keane territory, calling the sea of shots he has to deal with as “just doing my job; it’s why they brought me here,” yet he talks of “being more dominant with the ball” and assisting the attack. Was the long kick out to Bruno for Marcus Rashford’s beauty in the Manchester derby a great example?

“Yes, one example, but not only that,” Onana says. “It’s also to offer greater confidence to the players; let them know I’m the spare man and when we have the ball, I’m the one who needs to find the free men.

“When you play against large teams, sometimes they go one against one, sometimes you have pressing from the No. 10… so you have to recognise these kinds of scenarios and you have to make a decision. I’m here to embrace that responsibility and give trust to my guys.”

Onana fails to pick out a game for United which has highlighted his best attributes because he doesn’t feel he has achieved full stride yet. He did have a fave experience, though: the FA Cup quarter-final triumph over Liverpool at Old Trafford.

“It was crazy,” he puffs. “I was in shock. It was really amazing to be there. The noise was so loud. The joy… amazing!”

Onana wants that sensation to be the norm for United fans, and he’d like Ten Hag to be the man who provides it.

“Football doesn’t have a memory,” he explains. “You deliver well today and yesterday; tomorrow you don’t provide good and people are always going to remember what you did last. And regrettably, you can’t change that.

“Erik is a really good manager. I’m not here to back him because he’s already large enough to back himself. He performed fantastic things for United last season.

But this is football and I always believe football is fleeting. It is about moments; we have to know how to deal with the difficult period because what we are suffering this season in terms of injuries, I never saw that in my life…

“You know, we have more than 35 injuries. It’s hardly an excuse, especially being a United player, but these are the things you have to deal with. You cannot hide. That is reality. “We are doing everything to turn the situation around. And it will turn, I’m sure, a hundred percent.”