Andre Onana taking inspiration from boxing icon Muhammad Ali amid turbulent debut season at Man Utd as he insists 'amazing' squad will go on to win trophies

Onana has endured a turbulent first season at Manchester United following his big-money move from Inter. The goalkeeper has come in for criticism after making some high-profile and costly errors for the Red Devils. However, the goalkeeper has improved since returning from a chaotic AFCON campaign with Cameroon and has spoken about how having a strong mindset, like his idol Ali, has been key.

He told Inside United: "It's his mindset. It was not something easy. He had to pass through a lot of difficulties and he was only looking at the positive side, the positive parts. He was very positive and that is what I like.

"You know, no matter what happens in life, I've always said that it cannot rain forever, the sun will shine. And yet the sun will not shine forever, the rain will come. So just find a good balance, especially when you are a football player.

"When you have a bad day, a better day will come. It's not when you are having a bad day that you feel it will never change. It will change but it's not because you are having a good day that it will stay forever.

"Everything is temporary and you have to know how to manage that. When you are in a bad mood, take a positive. When you are in a good mood, take a positive. Just enjoy yourself and be happy, be with the people you love and always stay positive."

Onana also expressed his belief that United can go on and achieve tangible success: "I'm very happy to be here, like I said, I’m happy to be part of this family, a big group with great guys, young players, there’s some amazing ability here. It will come, you know. Principles, do your hard work, be positive and believe in yourself. It will come."

Onana has certainly taken time to settle into life at Old Trafford. The goalkeeper has said it took him "six to seven months" to feel good at Manchester United after his move. Yet it's been a difficult season for the whole club with United down in sixth place in the Premier League table, nine points behind Aston Villa in fourth. A shambolic European campaign also saw United dumped out of the Champions League after finishing bottom of their group.

Onana and Manchester United's only chance of silverware left this season is in the FA Cup. The Red Devils enjoyed a famous 4-3 win over rivals Liverpool last time out in the competition and will fancy their chances of making the final after being drawn against Championship side Coventry City in the semi-finals.