Night one of the Champions League was about as tough as it was going to get for Manchester United in the group stage, and goalkeeper Andre Onana had a night to forget in Munich.
United returned to the European Cup after a year away, with a tricky group stage draw landing them alongside German champions Bayern Munich - and matchday one sending them to the Allianz Arena.
It was about as much of a baptism of fire as they could have expected and, as the game went on, they struggled to keep pace with the rampant home side - though the game swung on Bayern's opener against the run of play just before the half hour.
𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐎𝐇 𝐍𝐎 𝐍𝐎! 😬
An absolute clanger from the United keeper sees Bayern take the lead!#BAYMUN | #UCL pic.twitter.com/X7tPiXX8pj— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 20, 2023
Leroy Sané's opener for Bayern came thanks in no small part to a poor blunder from Andre Onana in the Manchester United goal, with the club's summer signing letting Sané's shot slip through his grasp.
Though Onana has been impressive with the ball at his feet this season, it was not the first poor goal he has conceded since arriving in Manchester, and he was visibly disappointed with himself after letting in such a soft opener.
United would go on to lose 4-3 after a surprisingly valiant fighting effort and, after the game, Onana gave an admirable interview in which he took full responsibility for the ultimate defeat.
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Bayern v Manchester United: Andre Onana owns up to first-half error
Speaking on CBS Sports' coverage from Munich, ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel revealed that the current shot stopper Andre Onana had personally requested to take part in a post-match interview after his first-half mistake.
🗣 "We played such a great game until I made a mistake."
🗣 "That mistake cost us the victory."
🗣 "The team needed me, I wasn't there."
🗣 "Mistakes are part of the life of a goalkeeper."
André Onana speaking after Bayern's 4-3 win over Man United.#BAYMUN #MUFC #UCL pic.twitter.com/nwbIHfT4nB— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 20, 2023
The Cameroonian was clearly distraught with his error, and praised his teammates for their performance, saying he believed that he had cost his team the win:
Of course, I'm responsible for this defeat. I think that mistake cost us the victory. But I'm happy for the sacrifice of the team. It was not easy to come back against this big team. We showed a lot of character...they deserved to win today, we deserved to win today. Because of me, we didn't win.
After that [mistake], you have the feeling that you let the team down. It was the moment when the team needed me, and I was supposed to be there. Unfortunately I was not there, I made a mistake, and straight away I conceded and we conceded a goal. It was a key moment for us.
But mistakes are part of life for the goalkeeper. You have to deal with it and be strong, continue working hard. It's not easy, of course, but I have to accept responsibility and I have to be critical with myself. I think today I'm the one that cost the victory to the teammates.
It was an admirable interview, and showed the kind of brave attitude that has been sorely lacking at Manchester United in recent years.
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After his blunder for Sané's goal, Onana went on to have a strong second half performance, making several impressive saves, but could do little to stop Bayern running four past a makeshift United defence.
With so many players out injured, and others in poor form, Manchester United are undoubtedly in a tough moment - but Onana has every faith that his teammates will return to their best form before too long:
Shit happens in life and in football. It's a shit situation for me, and I have to accept it. I feel sorry, I have to apologise to everyone because I think today was supposed to be a great day for us. We didn't make it. Because of me.
We have to work hard...I know we will come back.
United fans will certainly hope that Onana and the rearguard will take encouragement from a narrow defeat in Munich and tighten up their defensive efforts in the weeks to come.
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