Onana Under Fire As Manchester United Ponder Sweeping Summer Changes
Manchester United find themselves embroiled in a period of intense scrutiny and upheaval, as calamitous goalkeeping displays and transfer speculation cloud the closing weeks of their campaign. With the club’s Champions League qualification hopes hanging by the slender thread of Europa League success, attention sharpens around Andre Onana’s crucial errors, the future of United’s strike force, and a looming overhaul in the summer transfer window.
United’s 2-2 draw away at Lyon in the Europa League quarter-final first leg exposed familiar frailties. Andre Onana, signed last summer with hopes of bringing composure to United's defence, was at fault for both French club’s goals – a costly misjudgement of Thiago Almada’s cross and a late spill leading to Rayan Cherki’s 95th-minute equaliser. The mistakes, coming after Onana’s own unguarded assertions that United were ‘way better’ than Lyon, fuelled both supporter anger and media uproar.
The situation was further inflamed by a public spat with ex-United midfielder Nemanja Matic, now at Lyon. Matic described Onana as "one of the worst goalkeepers in United’s history"; Onana shot back, referencing his trophy haul: “At least I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some can’t say the same.” Club legend Paul Scholes, ever the pragmatist, noted before the match, “Onana’s words could put him under more pressure than he realises.”
Manager Ruben Amorim now faces a critical decision ahead of a must-win return leg at Old Trafford: whether to persist with the embattled Cameroonian shot-stopper, or turn to back-up Altay Bayindir as United’s season hangs in the balance. The Daily Mail reports Amorim is "weighing up whether to take [Onana] out of the firing line", a move that could define his time in charge at Old Trafford.
Off the pitch, United’s summer transfer preparations intensify. Growing doubt over Onana's reliability has seen the club scouting fresh talent; Parma’s Zion Suzuki and Brighton's Bart Verbruggen are among reported targets, with proverbial "big money" set to be spent. Upfront, the challenge is no less pressing. Rasmus Hojlund continues to struggle, while Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee netted a key goal in Lyon but United’s overall firepower remains wanting.
Sporting director Jason Wilcox, with Amorim’s backing, has set sights on Premier League forwards: Matheus Cunha (Wolves) and Liam Delap (Ipswich Town). Cunha, with a £62.5m release clause, is seen as a fit for Amorim’s tactical system, while Delap’s clause could drop to £30m if Ipswich are relegated, attracting both United and Chelsea. The outcome of these pursuits may reshape United’s attacking identity just as Amorim looks to stamp his philosophy on the squad.
Elsewhere, transfer speculation swirls around talented winger Alejandro Garnacho, with Chelsea and Napoli still interested after rumoured January overtures. Coupled with uncertainty over homegrown stars like Kobbie Mainoo, this raises the prospect of a significant revamp both in and out at Old Trafford this summer.
The message from the club is clear: nothing is off the table as United stare into another pivotal off-season, with historic standards under threat and new ownership plotting a return to former glories. Their next steps, both in crucial on-pitch action and in the transfer war room, will reverberate loudly across football.
Will Amorim show faith in Onana and his current forwards, or will sweeping changes hit the Theatre of Dreams? Have Manchester United’s recent struggles been down to individuals or a deeper squad issue? Share your views below and join the debate.
