Andre Onana speaks after crucial penalty save in Champions League for Man United
Andre Onana saved a stoppage-time penalty as Manchester United secured a remarkable 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen on the night Old Trafford paid tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton, and then proceeded to claim he was “just doing his job” in a post-match interview.
The under-fire stopper became the hero after Harry Maguire had given the hosts the lead in a disjointed performance, but the Red Devils came out with all three points thanks to the Cameroon international.
Onana has been criticised and made errors in both previous European outings since joining the club from Inter Milan in the summer, but was deservedly crowned the hero of the night as a result of his save.
André Onana keeps Manchester United’s hopes of progressing alive ????#UCL pic.twitter.com/iSlhAXtDUr
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 24, 2023
Speaking moments after stopping Larsson’s penalty, Onana told TNT Sports: “I just had to do my job, you know. I had to do it for us to win, to win against a very tough opponent, we had a great game. Great goal from the big man Harry and I’m very happy, we have to continue like that.
One of the standout performers of the night, Andrey Onana, @AndreyOnana speaking after his crucial penalty save secured Manchester United’s 1-0 victory over Copenhagen . pic.twitter.com/lxgZka6ZyZ
— Oma Akatugba (@omaakatugba) October 24, 2023
“Of course [there’s resilience]. We are Manchester United, we’re a very big club with big players. So it’s just a matter of time, now we have to continue like this and we’ll get through this.”
United boss Erik ten Hag also lavished praise on his goalkeeper, while hitting out at the penalty being awarded in the first place. “Yes, of course it’s incredible,” he said. “Especially when you concede a penalty in the dying seconds, it should not happen but then a brilliant save from Andre.
“Slowly, I think we’re finding our form in the season and those players, I think, Harry Maguire played a brilliant game and Andre Onana did as well. He made a brilliant save just after half-time as well.”
Erik ten Hag’s team remain six points adrift of Group A leaders Bayern Munich but are now within a point of Galatasaray, their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages of the Champions League still intact.
