Andre Onana’s gloves may be slipping at Manchester United, but his grip on the No. 1 spot isn’t yet. Once hailed as Erik ten Hag’s saviour after the Dutchman signed him from Inter Milan in a big money move, the Cameroonian goalkeeper is digging in amid a storm of errors, fan fury, and an underperforming Manchester United side.
Since his £47.2m move from Inter Milan in 2023, Onana’s United career has been a rollercoaster of world-class saves and plain blunders occasionally. Three errors leading directly to goals in the Premier League, including Nottingham Forest, Wolves and Brighton, coupled with a shaky save percentage (16th in the league) have led to calls questioning Amorim’s no.1.
With a contract remaining running till 2028, Samuel Luckhurst of Manchester Evening News has reported that Onana isn’t backing down and intends to stay despite his rough form. The Cameroonian goalie is betting on his redemption and adamant that Old Trafford is his home. Onana recently switched to a new agency, but the switch isn’t about seeking a move away but a personal move.
Contrary to Onana’s desire, if United were to sell Onana, it won’t be straightforward either. Manchester United need at least £28.3m to avoid an FFP loss which is a tough ask for a keeper whose stock has plummeted. Not many teams will be willing to spend this big on a keeper who has lost his mojo recently, after some questionable lets in the United goal.
Manchester United are in a tricky situation with their goalkeeping department. While Onana continues to be No. 1 at the club, his deputies may seek different pastures in the future. Veteran keeper, Tom Heaton is expected to retire at the end of the season while Turkey’s Altay Bayindir will also be looking for a move away to secure regular minutes, eyeing Turkey’s World Cup campaign. Three goalkeepers leaving at the same time will complicate things for Amorim and Manchester United while Onana’s presence complicates the hierarchy further.
To add more context, next season’s AFCON will be played in December 2025 to January 2026. Onana, who is likely to be called by Cameroon, could miss more than six Premier League games during the festive crunch. The scenario coupled with backups leaving further complicates the situation for Amorim as he will be looking to bolster his goalkeeping department in the summer. However, Amorim has publicly backed Andre Onana. “We just have to support Andre and forget about the past and prepare for the future," Amorim stated in the goalie’s support, defending him over the Ipswich error leading to the goal.
Despite the pressures, Amorim knows ditching Onana risks destabilizing a fragile squad. The Cameroonian’s influence and experience still hold weight. A new goalkeeper is expected to be signed in the summer, but will Amorim stick with Onana as his first choice is yet to be determined. But with fan patience wearing thin, the clock is ticking for Onana. If he stays, it’s a redemption arc or career suicide. If he goes, it’s another costly write-off.