Andre Onana backs Marcus Rashford to hit back after overcoming his own struggles

Andre Onana felt like he fell from being the best goalkeeper in the world during a nightmare, error-ridden start at Manchester United – and has backed misfiring Marcus Rashford to rebound from his own struggles.

Things appeared on the up for the Red Devils as they won the Carabao Cup, finished third in the Premier League and reached the FA Cup final during a promising first campaign under Erik ten Hag.

Onana was among those brought in over the summer to take United onto another level but things have gone awry in an injury-hit season in which they limped home eighth.

The FA Cup final against Manchester City offers the chance to end a disappointing campaign on a high on Saturday, when their goalkeeper is sure to play a key role at the end of a campaign he started so poorly.

“In the beginning it was difficult,” he told the PA news agency. “I am used to move to (different) countries but it took me six months to feel good here.

“But now I’m happy here and also I was lucky because I have good team-mates, they were helping me.

“Even when it was tough, when I was not feeling so good, they were there for me and now I am happy.”

Onana managed to dig deep and kick on when he could have been sent into a tailspin under the intense pressure that comes with playing for the Old Trafford outfit.

The £47.2million goalkeeper has been one of United’s better players in the second half of a below-par season, with his shaky start showing him that “you are never too strong in life”.

Happy camp!