Andre Onana emphasises that he, along with his Manchester United colleagues, need to shoulder the blame after the Reds’ setback in their inaugural Premier League away fixture this season.
Spurs secured a 2-0 triumph at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, courtesy of a Pape Sarr goal and a late own-goal by Lisandro Martinez.
Despite managing a clean sheet in Monday’s 1-0 victory against Wolves, Onana believes that, on the day, Tottenham weren’t necessarily better than United. However, he expressed disappointment over the Reds’ inability to convert the scoring chances they carved out, especially in the opening half.
“I don’t think that they were better than us,” the goalkeeper told Sky Sports after the match. “We made some mistakes second half, but football is not always about one half.
“I think we started the game really well, we created chances. Of course, unfortunately we didn’t score, and I think this was a key point for us. If we had scored in the first half, it would have been a different game for sure.
“Football is about scoring goals, especially when you’re playing against good opponents. We had some big chances and we didn’t score, so in the end you have to pay [for that] but you have to keep calm, we have to keep working and if we keep going how we are, in the end of the season it will be ok.”
Onana accepted that mistakes are part of the game but admitted he will look at himself when analysing what happened during the match in north London.
“I think we made some mistakes and against a great opponent you pay,” said the Cameroonian stopper.
“I also think in the first half we were better [than Tottenham] and could have decided the game. But in the first half unfortunately we didn’t score.
“So we have to look back to the game, we have to focus on our mistakes. At the end of the day every game you lose, every goal we concede is a mistake from someone.
“But at the end of the day we are together in this. We are a big club and we have to assume the responsibility. I start with myself and I know what we have to do. I think that in the next game we can be better.”
The Reds will be looking to bounce back immediately when Nottingham Forest visit Old Trafford next Saturday, and Onana is confident United will continue sticking to the same principles ahead of that match.
“I’m very positive,” he added. “We have to stay calm, believe and keep pushing the way we work. I know we will do it.”
