Manchester United is experiencing tumultuous times with their goalkeeper situation, as criticisms of Andre Onana mount and potential replacements loom on the horizon.
Having arrived at Old Trafford from Inter Milan for approximately £47 million, Onana was expected to bring stability to the goalkeeper position, succeeding the long-standing David De Gea. Yet, since joining the club, the 28-year-old has had difficulty establishing himself as the first-choice goalkeeper, facing criticisms for some damaging mistakes. Most recently, he was at fault for conceding directly from a corner kick during United's 2-0 defeat to Wolves, raising eyebrows about his suitability for the Premier League.
Former United goalkeeper Massimo Taibi, who struggled during his time at the club, has publicly advised Onana to reconsider his future at Manchester United. He bluntly stated, "I'd be straight to the point and tell him, 'Andre, you are one of the best keepers in Europe but in the Premier League, you are under-performing. Block out criticism, do some soul-searching, press the reset and go again. And if things don't change by June, move on.'" His comments echo widespread sentiment about Onana's troubled tenure.
Taibi also mentioned, "I think subconsciously the United environment isn't ideal for him, and when a marriage is showing cracks, it's pointless to continue. Sometimes things don't work out at a team and it's best to go separate ways, which would not be a failure." Taibi himself experienced similar challenges at the club, and his remarks resonate with the struggles Onana is facing on the pitch.
This season, Onana has conceded 21 goals across 18 Premier League matches. Across all competitions, this figure jumps to 31 goals, underlining United's defensive vulnerabilities. With only seven clean sheets to show for his efforts, the pressure is mounting for both the goalkeeper and the club's management to address the situation urgently.
Meanwhile, reports indicate Manchester United is actively scouting for potential replacements. Royal Antwerp's Senne Lammens has emerged as one of the possible targets. The promising 22-year-old has been impressive this season and might offer United the stability they desperately need, particularly if Onana's form does not improve.
Despite his foibles, Onana remains the current No. 1 under manager Ruben Amorim, who has publicly backed him. But as the team struggles for consistency, the signs of unrest mean United might soon take decisive action.
United's defensive woes have sparked urgent discussions among fans and pundits alike about the organization's ability to find the right goalkeeper. The club's next Premier League clash against Newcastle United will be another opportunity for Onana to redeem himself. His performance and the resulting management decisions following this game could be pivotal for his career at Manchester United.
With just months remaining until the end of the season, change could be on the horizon. If Onana cannot adapt to the Premier League's demands, he may find himself parting ways with the club sooner than he anticipated. The question remains whether Manchester United aims to maintain their faith and investment in Onana or seek to re-stabilize their goalkeeper position through new acquisitions.