Exclusive: Jonny Evans backs Andre Onana, makes David de Gea comparison - 'A big thing for him to do that'

In an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, Jonny Evans believes Andre Onana can take inspiration from the man he replaced at Manchester United - David de Gea - as the Cameroonian looks to get over a difficult start to life at Old Trafford.

Onana joined United in a £47.2 million deal in the summer but has been in the spotlight after some notable errors in his first few appearances - including his concession of the opening goal in The Red Devils' 4-3 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.

In light of that mistake, Onana spoke to TNT Sports, saying: "Because of me we didn't win but we just have to move on. This is the life of the goalkeeper."

However, Evans, also speaking to TNT Sports ahead of United's game against Burnley this weekend which you can watch live on TNT Sports and discovery+, has said that the gloveman was perhaps being "harsh" on himself over the incident.

The defender, who re-joined United himself in the summer, pointed to De Gea, who also initially struggled after moving to England from Atletico Madrid in 2011, but then went on to establish himself as a club icon over the next 12 years before his departure.

“It’s a big thing for him to do that," said Evans on Onana's decision to speak to the press in Munich. "He didn't have to do that. But I think it's very difficult for any player coming to a new club to hit the ground running and maybe he’s been a bit harsh on himself.

“I've seen that quite a lot. And I've experienced that myself.

“He's replacing David de Gea, who was here for a long time. Again, remember, David at the start of his career at Manchester United, maybe went through a bit of a tough time to settle in and we saw what sort of career he would go on to have for this club.”

Evans, having come through as an academy graduate, made his United league debut in 2008 and spent the next seven years at the club, playing a role in three league title wins before moving to West Brom and then Leicester.

After spending the summer training with United following his release from The Foxes, he re-signed on a short-term deal and has made one appearance as a substitute so far this season.

Defeat to Bayern was United’s third in as many matches following Premier League losses to Arsenal and Brighton. Their next assignment is a trip to Turf Moor to face Burnley in the Premier League, a match which can be watched live on TNT Sports.

Ahead of the weekend’s fixtures, United sit 13th in the Premier League table but Evans believes the team can take positives from their attacking display in Munich as they look to climb back up the table.

“Bayern Munich is probably the toughest game in the group, especially away for the first match," the Northern Irishman said.

“We knew it was going to be a tough group and a tough match. I suppose it’s quite difficult to analyse [the match] with the first goal, then getting back into the game after that, [and then] them getting a penalty almost straight after that.

“The two times we did kind of get back in the game Bayern Munich scored quite quick after.

“Like I say, it's quite difficult to analyse from that perspective, but scoring three goals away in Germany, I suppose, is a big positive.”

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