At Manchester United, calm never seems to last. Ruben Amorim’s project is only just getting underway, yet controversy is already brewing. This time, the focus is on André Onana. The Cameroonian goalkeeper, heavily criticised throughout last season for a string of costly errors and once thought to be on the transfer list, is now set to remain United’s first-choice keeper.
The news has come as a surprise to many supporters, who were hoping for a change in a position that has inspired more concern than confidence. But for Amorim, there is no debate. The Portuguese manager is beginning to assert his authority with firm decisions, though not without sparking controversy.
According to Fichajes, Amorim has made it clear to the club’s hierarchy that he wants to keep Onana as a central figure in his system. Despite the goalkeeper’s turbulent first season in England, the manager values Onana’s technical ability and sees him as vital to implementing his tactical vision. His composure and distribution with the ball at his feet make him an ideal fit for building from the back, an essential feature of Amorim’s style.
André Onana in Manchester United’s goalkeeper kit, with Rúben Amorim’s silhouette in the background, symbolizing the coach’s trust in him
The question is straightforward: should Manchester United trust Amorim’s instinct or pursue a more reliable option in goal? Backing Onana is a bold move, and a risky one. The Premier League is relentless, and just a few errors early in the season could ignite unrest within the dressing room. Amorim is fully aware of the pressure, yet he has chosen to embrace it with conviction.
It’s not the first time he’s placed his faith in a divisive figure. However, for a squad emerging from back-to-back turbulent seasons, sticking with a goalkeeper known for inconsistency could jeopardise the entire campaign.
Good footwork means little if the goal trembles with every cross. Onana may be composed with the ball at his feet, but that hasn’t stopped avoidable goals or uneasy glances from the stands. Amorim believes that a more cohesive defensive structure can shield the Cameroonian from his past mistakes, but in doing so, he’s taking a significant gamble. If Onana falters again, it is the coach who will bear the consequences. Notably, United are considering Emiliano Martínez as a serious alternative for the position.
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Only time will tell whether this decision proves to be a masterstroke or a misstep. For Amorim, entering his first full season in charge, the stakes are high. Sticking with Onana might reflect belief, but it could also be interpreted as stubbornness. Manchester United need solutions, not more excuses. If the same mistakes re-emerge, the narrative of trust will quickly wear thin. Patience, after all, is a rare commodity at Old Trafford.