I feel sad – Andre Onana cries out on missed chances of finishing top four un the EPL this season
Man United drew 1-1 with Brentford at the weekend and Andre Onana had a busy evening at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Onana had plenty to do against Brentford.
Andre Onana admitted he was ‘sad’ after Manchester United’s draw against Brentford and said he was hopeful that a top four finish in the Premier League could still be secured.
United were expected to claim a victory against a struggling Brentford side on Easter Saturday, but they delivered an awful performance and were fortunate to get a point.
Brentford had 31 attempts on goal and hit the woodwork four times. It was remarkable they weren’t leading after 90 minutes and although Mason Mount thought he’d produced the match-winning goal in added time, Thomas Frank’s side responded by immediately equalising.
A draw was the least Brentford deserved and United’s players weren’t in the mood to talk to journalists in the mixed zone when heading for the team bus after the game.
Aston Villa and Tottenham both won in the Premier League on Saturday and it looks increasingly likely that United will fail to qualify for the Champions League.
Onana spoke to MUTV and said: “I feel sad because we are Manchester United, so it doesn’t matter who you play. Everywhere we go, we have to win.
“We gave away this game in the end. We did a fantastic job defending, it was not our best game but the most important thing was to win. So yeah, it’s difficult.”
When asked about the saves he made, Onana added: “The most important thing is the victory of the team. It’s good when you contribute and you have a victory.
“Of course, we didn’t lose this game but the way we conceded that goal is bad for all of us because we are in this together. We blocked shots and made saves together.
“As a leader and experienced player, we have to take responsibility and always stay positive because it’s the biggest club in the country.
“We have to continue working hard and be humble. I know we will stick together because we did it in the last month. I hope we end in the top four.”
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THE late late show saw Manchester United give up what was going to be a smash and grab for the ages.
The Red Devils were well off the pace during their clash with Brentford but still managed to leave the capital with the points shared after a 1-1 draw.
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Manchester United thought they had won it with a late goal
Brentford hit back just moments later to secure a share of the spoils
Brentford hit back just moments later to secure a share of the spoilsCredit: Rex
Erik ten Hag’s side looked like a team who had seen the international break disrupt their rhythm while Brentford were on top for almost the entire game.
But travelling United fans thought the long journey south was worth it when the lesser-spotted Mason Mount popped up with a 96th minute goal to put them 1-0 up.
However, after fans’ pulses were set racing by celebrations their hearts were then broken when Kristoffer Ajer netted just moments later up the other end to see the game end in a 1-1 draw.
United will probably still feel lucky to leave with a point after they faced an onslaught of efforts over the 90 minutes from Thomas Frank’s side.
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They were a shadow of the team that managed a miraculous 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup before the break, but still managed not to drop all three points despite the below par performance.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated each Man Utd player’s performance…
Andre Onana – 7
Had to be alert to tip wide a ferocious Mathias Jensen shot from a narrow angle but was relieved to see Ivan Toney’s scuffed effort rebound off his right-hand post and Zanka’s header skim the top of the bar. Got down well to save Kean Lewis-Potter’s header.
Continued to keep United in the game after the break with a fantastic double stop against Yehor Yarmoliuk and Lewis-Potter as Brentford peppered his goal.
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Andre Onana saw his goal peppered with shots all nightCredit: Reuters
Diogo Dalot – 6
Slid in to stop a Bees counter as Yarmoliuk raced in but was largely sloppy on the ball.
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Victor Lindelof – 6
Denied Toney a tap-in from six yards with a well-timed interception, but let him loose moments later as he scuppered a glorious one-on-one.
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Hobbled off with what looked like a hamstring injury in the 68th minute.
Manchester United could be without Victor Lindelof for a while as he hobbled off with an injuryCredit: PA
Raphael Varane – 5
Produced a crucial block in front of Lewis-Potter’s half volley inside the box, but was nut-megged by Yoane Wissa as Toney went through and smacked the inside of the post.
Was subbed off at half-time presumably due to injury.
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Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 4
Run-ragged at times and caught out of position ball-watching on too many occasions. Played everyone onside for Brentford’s dramatic late equaliser.
Scott McTominay – 5
Pretty anonymous. Given the run-around by Brentford’s five-man midfield and did not know whether to press or stick.
Kobbie Mainoo – 6
Showed glimpses of his coolness on the ball, and even had the audacity to try a Balotelli-esque shoulder pass, but spent most of his night chasing shadows.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Set Marcus away early with a fine long ball that ended up with him dragging shot wide, but was caught napping by Jensen in his own box that almost led to a goal.
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Almost teed up Rasmus Hojlund for a second half opener but had strayed yards offside.
Captain Bruno Fernandes had a few sharp momentsCredit: Reuters
Marcus Rashford – 5
Crowded out when trying to force an opening on the edge of the box and looked lethargic on the counter when United needed some energy and impetus.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Other than one tame header wide, the Argentinian struggled to impose himself on the first half, dropping deeper and deeper to get on the ball.
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Was hauled off just before the hour mark.
Rasmus Hojlund – 5
Spent the early stages getting manhandled by Brentford’s beast of a back three and cut a hugely frustrated figure with the lack of service.
His first effort on goal was well saved by Mark Flekken but would not have counted. That was as good as he got.
Rasmus Hojlund had little to go off during the gameCredit: AFP
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SUBS
HARRY MAGUIRE (VARANE, 46) – 6
Brought on to bring calm, but not many defenders could do that in this United side. Looked edgy and rusty but at least brought some physicality.
ANTONY (GARNACHO, 58) – 6
Very few touches to announce himself and then a curling beauty went agonisingly wide.
Looks half the player he was before his knee injury. A bizarre toe-poked clearance straight to Toney should have seen the Bees take the lead.
And then, just as United grabbed an unlikely winner, he allowed Toney to dribble around him
in the box and tee-up Kristoffer Ajer for a deserved equaliser.
His first pass was misplaced and his first tackle got the man, not the ball, summing up his influence on this team right now, even if he did assist Mason Mount’s opener.
United are next in action against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night.
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