Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has issued an eye-catching warning to the fans ahead of the 2024-25 season.
The Red Devils are done with their preseason tour in the USA and are preparing for Saturday's exciting Community Shield showdown with Premier League champions — and bitter rivals — Manchester City.
Additionally, Erik ten Hag's men kick off the upcoming English top-flight campaign in just over a week, hosting Fulham on August 16 in the first game of the new season.
And with 2024-25 fast approaching, Onana let fans in on what to expect next season. According to the Cameroonian shot-stopper, the English giants will be taking more risks with their play style, with the former Inter Milan ace promising to play out from the back more often.
"Yes, that's me," Onana said, as per the Telegraph. "And I think it's what you're going to see this season because I will take a lot of risks.
"I can tell you in advance already! Be prepared because it's going to be this season, trust me! I will enjoy it even more when this season starts.
"The best teams in the world take risks. Building from the back, recognize things, situations, when the opponent jumps one against one, or when they press with three or with four.
"So for me it's important to recognize those kinds of things and make the best decision for the team. I will take a lot of responsibility and I think my back is huge to carry it all, no? I think it's going to be nice this season."
Onana joined from Inter Milan last summer for £47.2M but struggled early on in his Old Trafford debut campaign. Furthermore, while the Cameroonian arrived as one of the mostly highly-regarded ball-playing keepers, the 28-year-old failed to adhere to this last season, instead going long more often than not.
However, the reason behind this remains contentious. While Manchester United boast two proficient ball-playing center-backs in Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire, both struggled for fitness last campaign.
As a result, Ten Hag had to rely on the likes of Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, and the veteran Jonny Evans, who range from inadequate to decent on the ball.
Onana, whose poor displays in the UEFA Champions League contributed to the club's group-stage exit in 2023-24, spoke candidly about his debut season, admitting to the need for improvement.
"One hundred percent. I don't think it was good enough last season because I'm coming from playing in the Champions League final [with Inter].
"[Winning] the FA Cup is important but not enough for Manchester United. The targets have to be really high and we will go for it this season.
"I'm really excited about the new signings and I think with the way my team-mates are working hard every day, I'm very positive.
"As the best club in the country, the perspective is always high — it's to win everything, fight for every single game, be more consistent. We already showed in the past games we can beat anyone so we're going to fight to win everything."
Manchester United kick off the season at Wembley this weekend with their Community Shield showdown with Manchester City in a repeat of last season's FA Cup final.
The Red Devils won that clash 2-1 thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, a result which helped them sneak into the UEFA Europa League.
However, the goal this season will be to finish in the top four as INEOS and Co. aim for a return to the UEFA Champions League. They will face stiff competition from Tottenham, Aston Villa, Newcastle, and Liverpool.
