Manchester United are on the prowl for a new goalkeeper, with Andre Onana’s position at the club growing shakier by the week, according to fresh reports.
The Red Devils have endured a torrid campaign, and head coach Ruben Amorim’s arrival has done little to steady the ship since he took over from Erik ten Hag earlier this season.
Under Amorim, Manchester United have stumbled, securing just five wins from their opening 16 Premier League matches. The former Sporting CP boss inherited a squad bolstered by hefty summer spending—around 180 million pounds splashed on Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, and Noussair Mazraoui for Ten Hag.
Yet, results have nosedived, leaving the Portuguese tactician scrambling to impose his high-octane style on a disjointed team.
January brought one new face, with Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu joining the ranks. However, his midweek red card in a nervy 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town underscored the growing pains at Old Trafford.
Now, attention has turned to the goalkeeping department, where Onana’s once-heroic displays have given way to costly errors.
The Cameroon international has conceded 39 goals in 27 Premier League outings this term, often bailing out his side with stunning saves but faltering at critical moments. His shaky showing against Ipswich—where a mix-up with Dorgu gifted Jaden Philogene the opener, followed by a failure to stop a low cross that crept in—has raised eyebrows.
“Doubts are creeping in over whether Manchester United will stick with him long-term,” a GiveMeSport report noted, adding that Onana’s future “hangs in the balance.”
With the No.1 shirt potentially up for grabs, the Red Devils are casting their net wide. Burnley’s James Trafford, a target since last summer, remains on their radar, though Newcastle United are reportedly closing in on the young stopper. Amorim could yet swoop in, offering Trafford a shot at the top job.
Elsewhere, Porto’s Diogo Costa has long been admired by United’s scouts, while Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel is another name in the frame. Atletico Madrid’s Juan Musso has been linked too, but sources suggest he’s not seen as a serious contender for the starting role.
Manchester United’s hierarchy face a big call. More investment may be needed to align the squad with Amorim’s vision, and a goalkeeper upgrade could be top of the list. “They could be forced to explore alternatives sooner than expected,” the GiveMeSport report concluded.
In the coming weeks, the club are expected to firm up their plans, with a potential transfer tussle looming in the summer.
Adding fuel to the fire, a recent X post from Manchester United’s official account after the Ipswich win praised Onana’s “crucial saves,” though fans were quick to point out his blunders in the replies.
Amorim, speaking post-match, remained diplomatic but telling: “We need consistency in every position, and we’ll keep working to find it.” For Onana and the Red Devils, time may be running out.
