Bruno Fernandes tells Andre Onana he ‘should not take the blame’ for Manchester United defeat by Bayern Munich in Champions League

• Manchester United were beaten 4-3 by Bayern Munich on Wednesday night 
• Andre Onana made a massive mistake to give German side the advantage
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off! 

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has told goalkeeper Andre Onana that he shouldn’t take the blame for the club’s Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.

Onana was guilty of a costly error as he spilled Leroy Sane’s shot into his net before half-time as United went on to lose 4-3 at the Allianz Arena.

The Cameroon keeper, who has now conceded 14 goals in six games since joining United from Inter Milan for £47.2million in the summer, took responsibility for the mistake and his shaky start at the club.

But Fernandes leapt to Onana’s defence and said that the all the players have to shoulder the blame for United’s poor results.

‘It’s not about Andre,’ said Fernandes. ‘Andre is a great goalkeeper. He will keep giving us a lot of points, a lot of saves.

Manchester United rallied around Andre Onana after his mistake cost the team a goal

Onana spilled the ball from Leroy Sane’s shot and it gave Bayern Munich the lead

‘He hasn’t got to take any blame for nothing. We have to take the blame as a team that we’re going to go through this moment together because we are strong as a team.’

The goal proved costly for United after a strong start in Germany as they trailed for the rest of the game despite plugging Bayern back with goals from Rasmus Hojlund and two late Casemiro efforts.

Fernandes praised United’s fighting spirit but admitted they have to improve after losing four of their first six games this season.

‘The positive is that the spirit, the fighting spirit was there. We tried,’ added Fernandes. ‘It still wasn’t enough to win or to get something from the game, but in periods the team showed great spirit. We have to do it more often and for 90 minutes.

‘We controlled really well in the beginning of the game. The second half we started really well. I think we could have got a different result after we scored a goal.

‘I think no-one would expect us to come into Bayern and score three goals. We’re not playing against some bad team. We were playing one of the best teams in the world, with great players and great qualities.

‘Bayern had some chances, yes. Obviously when you go behind, you will get open spaces for them, and you know that against big teams like Bayern they can hurt you.’

Erik ten Hag was without 12 players in Germany due to injury and the absence of Jadon Sancho and Antony. But Fernandes refused to blame that for United’s latest defeat.

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Bruno Fernandes insisted the team are at fault and Onana should not take the blame 

‘No, it’s not about that,’ he added. ‘We can’t rely now on the injuries and everything. Obviously, we want to have everyone back because we know that as many players we have available, the team will be stronger.

‘But we have the players and we have enough experience and enough talent in the team to get through this moment.

‘I think some of them probably will come back earlier and will lift the team because we have quality players injured. But it’s about the ones that are now playing, giving something to get the result.

‘Obviously it’s not the best moment for us but we will get through this and we will get the results back.

‘We know it’s tough and you need to get through that because you can’t control it. But I think the team has players enough to get a response.

‘I think everyone has to do is to do their own job and look at themselves first. That’s what I do as a player. Not as a captain – as a person and first point. I think everyone does that.

‘It wasn’t the case that not everyone was good doing the best for the team or trying to fight for getting the result.

‘It’s just the momentum and against big teams, when you give a lot of chances to them they’re going to hurt you.’

Onana was beaten four times on the night, with Bayern Munich winning 4-3

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