Manchester United’s Goalkeeping Conundrum: Onana’s Woes Ignite Summer Hunt for Premier League and World-Class Replacements
Manchester United stand at a critical crossroads, with their goalkeeping crisis making headlines yet again after a tumultuous night in the Europa League. As costly errors from Andre Onana continue to mount, the club’s search for a new custodian has gathered pace — and the rumour mill is ablaze with potential successors.
The saga reached a boiling point during United’s recent 2-2 Europa League draw with Lyon. Onana, acquired from Inter Milan for £47.2m, was at fault for both of the French outfit’s goals on Thursday, a performance that drew stinging criticism from pundits, fans and club legends alike. Even before kick-off, former United man Nemanja Matic branded Onana as among the worst keepers in the club’s extensive history. After the final whistle, ex-Wales star Robbie Savage called the shot-stopper’s showing “awful”, while Paul Scholes questioned his suitability for United’s ambitions.
For manager Ruben Amorim, the approach has been one of public support. “It can happen, if you play football, you play a lot of games, you can make mistakes,” Amorim stated, emphasising his confidence in Onana after the Lyon fixture. However, behind the scenes, reports suggest United’s hierarchy is already on the hunt for an upgrade, and recent data is damning: Onana has made more errors leading to goals than any other Premier League keeper since the start of last season, with eight costly mistakes in total.
Among the most closely-watched successors is Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen. The Dutch international, touted as one of the league’s finest young goalkeepers, has already attracted attention not just from Manchester United, but also Bayern Munich and AC Milan. Having racked up 60 appearances and 15 clean sheets for the Seagulls, Verbruggen offers a blend of consistency and youthful promise, with United reportedly enquiring about his availability ahead of a potential summer bid. At just 22 and under contract until 2028, the race for his signature could prove fierce.
Yet, there’s another twist to United’s recruitment narrative. The club’s long-term interest in Japanese sensation Zion Suzuki has resurfaced with renewed vigour. Suzuki, now starring for Parma in Serie A following a spell at Belgium's Saint-Truiden, is reported to have been watched by United scouts more than any other potential target of late. Once a United transfer target back in 2023, Suzuki opted for regular minutes abroad and has flourished — being named the best goalkeeper in Belgium before earning a move to Italy. Despite Parma’s struggles, Suzuki’s statistics are exceptional: he ranks among the league’s best for shot-stopping, high claims and has made zero errors leading to goals. United’s patience may now pay dividends as they look for a reliable and world-class option between the sticks.
Beyond Verbruggen and Suzuki, the club is also reportedly monitoring James Trafford, the Championship’s leading clean sheet keeper. With Saudi Arabian clubs linked to Onana, a summer reshuffle in United’s goalkeeping department seems increasingly inevitable.
As Manchester United prepare for a pivotal transfer window, the question looms: will a new face in goal help restore the Red Devils’ defensive stability and confidence? Supporters, critics, and rivals alike will be watching with bated breath. Share your perspectives below — who should United choose as their next number one?
