Siddharth Juyal
Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana clarifies his relationship with Harry Maguire after on-field bust-up.
Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana gave clarification about his relationship with United defender Harry Maguire after the on-field bust-up.
The infamous incident has kept circulating in the news cycle despite taking place during the pre-season game in July.
Critics chastised Onana for overstepping his boundaries since Maguire was still the club captain at the time. The 27-year-old goalkeeper had just joined United from Inter Milan when the friendly game against Borussia Dortmund took place.
Speaking to the reporters (h/t Mirror) before the Champions League opening game against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, Onana said:
“Harry’s a very good guy, I have a good relationship with him, I spoke to him this morning before we took off. What happened there was done straight after the game. I don’t think we have to give too much to what happened, we are big guys and what happened on the pitch stays on the pitch, we have a good relationship.”
The Cameroon international had a horrible start to his first campaign with the Red Devils. Onana started all five Premier League games played so far, conceding 10 goals while keeping just one clean sheet.
United find themselves in 13th position consequently, losing three games out of five with fans hoping that things will improve.
Maguire has faced over-the-top criticism at United while some were justified, much hate-driven rhetoric was not necessary.
The situation became so toxic that usually calm England Manager Gareth Southgate decided to angrily respond in defense of Maguire. Many fans and pundits came to back the 30-year-old with Maguire’s mother also making an emotional plea.
Some people in the footballing world interpreted Onana’s on-field outburst as an attempt by the goalkeeper to endear himself to Maguire’s critics by exploiting the defender’s poor reputation.
This clarification from Onana should put to rest any lingering doubts about his relationship with Maguire. This should also allow both players to focus on their roles in the team and strive for success on the pitch.
More Manchester United News
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- Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen praises “hard-working” Hannibal Mejbri amidst defeat
- Manchester United are linked with a shock move for Bayern Munich star Serge Gnabry
Rest assured, the only way for Onana to endear himself to Old Trafford fans is by fortifying the defense and making sure he lives up to the legacy left behind by his legendary predecessors like David De Gea and Edwin van der Sar.
