Rúben Amorim has a big decision to make—and it could shape not just Manchester United’s Europa League fate, but also the future of Andre Onana at Old Trafford.
As United prepare for a decisive quarter-final second leg clash against Lyon, all eyes are on the goalkeeping position. Onana, signed for £47.5 million in the summer of 2023, has endured a turbulent debut season, marred by high-profile errors and intense criticism—most recently from ex-United midfielder Nemanja Matic, who branded him one of the club’s “worst-ever goalkeepers.”
It’s a claim that stings, but it also reflects a growing unease about Onana’s form. With eight mistakes leading to goals in all competitions since his arrival, no Premier League goalkeeper has been more error-prone in that period. Two of those costly errors came just last week in Lyon, where Onana’s blunders led to both goals in a 2-2 draw.
Yet statistics show a more complex picture. According to Opta, only Jordan Pickford has prevented more goals (8.7) than Onana (7.5) in the Premier League this season, based on expected goals. Onana is far from United’s only problem, but his struggles have been magnified in a campaign littered with defensive frailties and inconsistency.
Still, the pressure is mounting. Amorim already dropped Onana for the recent Premier League loss to Newcastle, citing mental rest as the reason. But a decision for Europe is not so straightforward—one goalkeeper will have to sit on the bench. Whoever it is could very well be on their way out of the club this summer.
That includes Onana’s understudy, Altay Bayindir, whose brief audition against Newcastle was unconvincing. Signed from Fenerbahce for £4.3 million, the Turkish international looked rusty, and his distribution was poor. His chances have been few and far between, but when they’ve come, they’ve failed to inspire confidence.
Off the pitch, Onana remains a respected figure in the dressing room. He’s vocal, experienced, and regarded as a leader in a fragile squad. But that’s not enough if his performances continue to raise doubts. His decision to clap back at Matic’s criticism only added fuel to the fire, especially after gifting Lyon an early goal days later.
Now, Amorim must weigh leadership against liability.
United’s long-term planning never accounted for a goalkeeper dilemma this soon into Onana’s five-year contract, particularly one that continues to be paid off in instalments. Selling him this summer would almost certainly incur a financial loss—another burden on a club trying to restructure under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s partial ownership.
With Champions League qualification hanging in the balance and fans growing restless, Amorim’s next move in goal is more than just a tactical choice. It’s a test of trust, strategy, and long-term vision. And in a season already defined by chaos, it could be one of the most significant decisions yet.
