Andre Onana has endured a difficult first season at Manchester United but the Cameroonian goalkeeper is being inspired by team-mate Harry Maguire's response to fierce criticism

Andre Onana said the way Harry Maguire handled criticism helped him cope with his own difficulties at the start of his Manchester United career.

Maguire lost the United captaincy to Bruno Fernandes after losing his place following a run of poor form and criticism from fans and pundits. The England defender could have left United last summer, but stayed to fight for his place and won it back with some impressive displays on the back of the team's chronic injury crisis.

Onana hailed Maguire's resilience and mental toughness, saying: "I have Harry in the dressing room. When you see what he went through, what Harry faced, it was terrifying.

"He's a big man, he showed a lot of character - now he's back and he's one of the best we have. It's important to look at this kind of example, because he passed through a difficult situation. Now he's back and we move forward."

"That's why I'm still smiling - because the first six months were difficult. But, at the same time, it was a good moment to learn. The ups and downs and being here, you have to deal with them - especially being a goalkeeper. When I wear the United jersey, it's heavy - but for me that's extra motivation."

The Cameroonian goalkeeper, who signed from Inter Milan last summer for PS47million, added that he will "take the bullets" from United's critics, saying: "For me, I don't pay attention to it. I have come into this team to take bullets, because we're under construction - at the moment we're not the best.

"We have other teams who are doing better than us and we have to be honest and recognize that. If things and when things are going wrong, don't go for the youngest player. I'm here to take it, Bruno, Casemiro and Harry are there and we are used to it."

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Andre Onana has lauded team-mate Harry Maguire ( Image:

"We're in the same boat. We try to follow your thing and what you did. For me, I don't mind, but other people may be affected. For me, to be honest, it's just a part of the game.

"We're just facing bad situations, a bad season. Sometimes you have own goals, you have deflections - there are things you cannot control in life. So we try to adapt, you try to be pragmatic, but the most important thing to me is not what's already passed, it's what we're going to do tomorrow.

"We can't change anything anymore, it's done, it's over - now we have Manchester City in front of us. We need to keep doing what we are doing, working hard, believing in ourselves and staying together."