André Onana has urged Manchester United fans to prepare for Erik ten Hag's side to take even more risks next season.
Onana has gotten into trouble at times with his attempts to break out from the back but the goalkeeper has warned fans that even more will be at stake when the new campaign gets underway and has asked them to prepare for some high-risk, high-reward football.
“That's what we're going to see this season because I'm going to take a lot of risks,” Onana said.
“I can tell you that now. Get ready because it's going to be this season, believe me. I'll enjoy it even more when this season starts.”
United have signed goalkeeping coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar as part of a revamp of Erik ten Hag's coaching staff this summer. Ten Rouwelaar has joined from Ajax to replace Richard Hartis and help the team build from the back – a key part of Ten Hag's philosophy and one of the reasons Onana was signed to replace former number one David de Gea a year ago.
“The best teams in the world take risks,” Onana said. “Building from the back, recognising things, situations, when the opponent jumps one-on-one, or when they press with three or four, recognising that we dominate the press if it's a No. 9 or No. 11.”
“It's important for me to acknowledge these things and make the best decision for the team. I'll take on a lot of responsibility and I think I have a big back to carry all that, right? I think it's going to be a good season.”
Onana's first season at Old Trafford was one of ups and downs following his move from Inter Milan last summer. He made several impressive saves but also made a number of mistakes, most notably in the Champions League when United were eliminated in the group stages.
The 28-year-old is hoping for a more consistent season after adjusting to life in Manchester, but said he is happy to take criticism if it comes his way.
“Being a Manchester United player, when you don't win, it's fair to take criticism because at the end of the day, it's part of the job,” he said.
“We are here for that and I come here as the best goalkeeper in the world, it is normal that they have been hard on me because they expect a lot from me but at the same time they also give me a lot of affection.
“You just have to find a balance between that and criticism is sometimes good because you have to look back and see what you did that wasn't right, so for me I take that as a positive.”
