Bruno Fernandes responds to latest Andre Onana blunder in Europa League | OneFootball

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes launched a strong defence of his teammate Andre Onana after the goalkeeper endured another game to forget.

Three minutes into the second half of United's Europa League tie away to Czech outfit Viktoria Plzen, Onana fired a tame pass in the vague direction of Matthijs de Ligt. Pavel Sulc gratefully gobbled up the slowly rolling ball before teeing up Matej Vydra for the game's opening goal.

Rasmus Hojlund bagged a late brace to secure United's first victory in continental competition away from Old Trafford since March 2023, but Onana's latest blunder wasn't completely swept aside. United's shot-stopper, who has largely been in impressive form this season, was also at fault for two goals in last weekend's dismal loss to Nottingham Forest.

Fernandes was quick to quash any descent ushered Onana's way. "We want to play from the back," United's skipper told TNT Sports. "We have to make the decision that is the right one. Andre thought that Matty [De Ligt] could get to the ball, he missed the pass, they scored a goal, but that's nothing that we have to focus about.

"You have to focus on what's the best solution that we can do it in the future, but it's not about Andre making the mistake. We don't look at individuals here when something happens in the wrong side or the good side.

"We have huge belief in Andre," Fernandes continued. "He knows he made a mistake, we don't need to tell him, and he's going to help us many times coming out from the back. We trust his qualities on the ball."

When the Europa League draw was made and United booked their ticket to the Doosan Arena, Viktoria boss Miroslav Koubek described it as "a football holiday for the whole city". Despite suffering defeat in front of their own fans, the veteran coach remained upbeat.

When quizzed by reporters post-game whether Viktoria had specifically targeted Onana, Koubek admitted: "Yes, that was our tactic. I told them to shoot from every viable opportunity."

That shoot-on-site approach only yielded two efforts on target. While he saved one of those attempts, Onana effectively created Viktoria's only other clear chance.