‘Different system’ – Manchester United star backs team-mates to step up under Ruben Amorim

Manchester United first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana is convinced that his team-mates can adapt to a different style under new head coach Ruben Amorim.

Onana was one of the signings Ten Hag made having previously worked with the player at Ajax. The other four players in the same boat include Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Antony.

Most of those players are still having to prove themselves at the biggest club in the world, but Mazraoui has done superbly since joining from Bayern Munich in the summer. De Ligt is forming a defensive partnership with Martinez, while Antony is the only one who looks a genuine flop.

However, Ten Hag asked these players to play in a specific system. One many were familiar with from his time in charge of Ajax. It consisted of a 4-2-3-1 formation and we are expecting something very different from Amorim when he joins from Sporting Lisbon next week.

Onana was asked if he watched Sporting’s 4-1 win over Man City on Wednesday night, which he did, and whether he thinks the current United team can adapt to Amorim’s preferred style of play.

“I did watch it,” Onana said, as per the Daily Mail. “It was a great victory for them, by the way. Different system, but my teammates are all pragmatic.

“Everyone here is capable of playing in each system, I don’t think it will be an issue for us. We have big players, and they will step up.”

Andre Onana has his say on Erik ten Hag sacking

Reflecting on United’s decision to part ways with Ten Hag, who brought Onana to United from Inter Milan, Onana said: “When I heard he was leaving, obviously I felt bad. It’s not always easy for players to understand why a manager is leaving.

“At the end of the day the club makes a decision and we have to follow. Yes, I worked with him, he’s a good manager and I’ve got a very good relationship with him.

“Why didn’t things work here? We didn’t win enough games, it’s simple. At the high level it’s not easy and sometimes you have to pay the price. We worked hard, tried everything and did our best, but it didn’t work.”