'The manager asked us?' - Andre Onana praises Man United teammates after Erik ten Hag confusion

Andre Onana praised the character Manchester United showed in earning a point against Fenerbahce in the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

Christian Eriksen's stylish finish gave United a half-time lead against Jose Mourinho's side, but Youssef En-Nesyri's header early in the second half brought the hosts back into the game and reignited a ferocious atmosphere.

United calmed things down after that and went on to claim a third successive draw in the Europa League, although it could have been worse but for a sensational double save by Onana in the first half.

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The 28-year-old was disappointed with the result when TNT Sports quizzed him about it after the game. At one point, Onana was asked whether United had shown character in getting that result, with the interviewer telling him Erik ten Hag had said pre-match that the players had to play smart.

Onana initially questioned what had been said, before going on to praise the way his team responded to their early setback in the second half.

“The manager asked us to play smart?" he said. "I think yes [we did this], we had more control than them and more chances than them, football sometimes there is randomness, we conceded early in the second half, and we had to show character and this is what we did."

Onana also praised Noussair Mazraoui for playing in an unfamiliar attacking midfield position that he last played when he was coming through the ranks at Ajax.

“Every player can play every position, Mazraoui is one of them, he did a good job, we’re happy with him and his performance," he said.

"He used to play there when he was younger, sometimes we have to be pragmatic. Players are missing and sometimes we have to step up and that is what Mazraoui did, he was brilliant for the team because the team needed him there."