Onana warning to Reds: Get set for a tough test!
ANDRE Onana has issued an FA Cup warning to his Manchester United team-mates ahead of facing Coventry City.
The Sky Blues will go into Sunday’s semi-final at Wembley as huge underdogs against the Red Devils. But United goalkeeper Onana is expecting a tough tie against a “very good” opponent in Mark Robins’ side and has warned that Erik ten Hag’s team “must be there ready” or risk suffering a major upset.
Speaking to the club about playing in a huge match at Wembley, Onana said: “It’s very exciting. But as I’ve always said: playing for this beautiful club, you must win. It’s a semifinal of course, we are going there to win.
“It’s a very good opponent and this game is going to be tough, but we are Manchester United so we must be there ready for them.”
United have severe defensive injury problems ahead of the match and one of their star players, Alejandro Garnacho, has also given Ten Hag an unwanted problem in the build-up to Sunday. Garnacho liked two tweets from a Youtuber questioning his halftime substitution in their Premier League draw with Bournemouth on Saturday.
A United spokesperson said the matter was dealt with internally, but declined to clarify whether Garnacho has been outright disciplined.
The club highlighted that Garnacho had swiftly unliked the tweets.
Speaking about substituting Garnacho against Bournemouth, Ten Hag said: “I think we had to repair over the right side.
“We didn’t play well, the spaces were there. In possession, we had to bring a sub there.
“Garnacho was during the week not training. Only yesterday.
“We thought bring some energy and bring some more quality, quality in the sense of cooperation and togetherness on that right-hand side.”
United are set to assess the fitness of key players before the game with Ten Hag’s side plagued by injuries this season.
The United boss is faced with the task of rallying his depleted side once more. Key figures such as Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, and Scott Mctominay were notable absentees during the 2-2 stalemate with Bournemouth last Saturday. With a potential FA Cup final against either Manchester City or Chelsea up for grabs, United approach the semi-final tie with Coventry on the back of a four-game winless streak.