SUMMARY
- Manchester United finished 8th in the Premier League season.
- Goalkeeper Andre Onana has reflected on the season and made some bold statements.
Manchester United have endured a difficult 2023/24 campaign. The Mancunian club has struggled both domestically as well as in Europe to meet the expectations of their fans. With the Premier League season now over, United have managed to finish eighth in the league table, their lowest ever in Premier League history. It is also the first time that the club has ended a league campaign with a negative goal difference.
🚨🚨 OFFICIAL:
Manchester United finish 8th in the Premier League. NO European football next season, unless United beat Man City in the FA Cup final (to secure Europa League).
8th place is #mufc’s WORST EVER finish in Premier League history… pic.twitter.com/kjZKpOFk8B
— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) May 19, 2024
However, the season still promises to provide some joy to the United fanbase. The Red Devils will be going against their city rivals, Manchester City in the FA Cup final. Manchester United will be determined to take revenge for last year’s FA Cup final defeat at the hands of the same opponent. The record English champions will also be eager to stop their fierce rivals from accomplishing a domestic double.
United’s players, too have had to experience a challenging time this season. Not many of them have been able to escape the constant criticisms. One of them has been their goalkeeper, Andre Onana who despite a rough start at the club, has now started to repay the trust shown in him by the club when they completed his transfer in the summer of 2023.
Andre Onana heaps praise on Erik ten Hag despite a bad season
Erik ten Hag made a brave and tough call to let Manchester United legend, David De Gea leave at the end of the previous campaign. The Dutch manager was determined to add Andre Onana to his squad. The two know each other very well, having worked together at Ajax Amsterdam previously. Onana was an integral part of ten Hag‘s successful Ajax team which earned him plaudits all over the soccer world.
🚨🚨🎙️| André Onana asked if it was a difficult decision to leave Inter for #mufc:
“No, it was not. You cannot say no to Manchester United. One of the biggest clubs in the world. I was excited to come.” pic.twitter.com/WGD8K2FeQ4
— centredevils. (@centredevils) May 20, 2024
The United coach hasn’t had it easy at the club this season. Facing several obstacles throughout, his team has not been able to deliver consistent results. However, speaking to Gary Neville, his keeper, Onana was quick to defend his boss, saying, “He is the same manager as the one at Ajax! He is just facing a difficult situation, and hopefully, things become good for him.” Andre Onana has displayed his faith in Erik ten Hag to reverse the situation at Manchester United.
The upcoming summer transfer window will undoubtedly be crucial to the manager’s future at United. This season has made it evident that further additions to the club are required for United to challenge regularly at the top. Erik ten Hag will hope that like Onana the rest of his squad too are in line with his ideas and objectives to succeed at the biggest club in England.
Onana makes a bold claim ahead of the FA Cup final against Manchester City
Manchester United will have a chance to end the season on a positive note by lifting the FA Cup trophy against Manchester City. A potential victory will give the fans of the club a huge boost considering how the season has gone by for them. City undoubtedly, will start the fixture as the overwhelming favorites to defeat United in a cup final for the second season running.
“It’s all about trophies.” 🏆
Erik ten Hag looks ahead to Manchester United’s FA Cup final, following an underwhelming Premier League campaign 🔴🔜 pic.twitter.com/EbeF05WEHL
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 19, 2024
Andre Onana, on the other hand, is not ready to count his team out leading to the FA Cup final. “It is a very important game for us. We are going there to win. We are Manchester United. Doesn’t matter who we play. We cannot go thinking we will lose, otherwise better we don’t step on the pitch. We have good players with a lot of personality”, Onana’s comments display his and his teammates’ unwavering desire to lift the club’s 13th FA Cup trophy.
The United dressing room will need to reflect this mentality and personality in the final against their city rivals. A Manchester derby presents the biggest occasion for Manchester United to make their fanbase believe in their project, especially with the new ownership taking over the club. In many ways, the fate of the final could be a key factor in shaping the upcoming seasons for Erik ten Hag’s side.