Following an underwhelming season with the gloves at M16, it does look like Andre Onana would possibly be on his way out of Carrington in the ongoing summer transfer window. With Ruben Amorim taking charge of the proceedings at Old Trafford, he demands a structural control in the buildup phase complemented by a sense of security off the ball. And, while Onana has his strong points, particularly given his sweeping and distribution, this tendency that he has to be erratic when it comes to his decision-making and positioning under pressure has been a source of frustration for Manchester United fans, especially given how he has been exposed multiple times in the past couple of seasons.
But now the club is pulling the trigger, the chiefs at Carrington are exploring new options in goal, and they are looking for someone who can bring a sense of stability along with this shot-stopping excellence and potential to grow at Old Trafford.
And one name rising on the shortlist at United is that of Marco Carnesecchi, the current number one at Serie A side Atalanta.
Carnesecchi has impressed for the Bergamo club and has grown in stature in the last two seasons, establishing himself as one of the best in Serie A.
Marco Carnesecchi kept 13 clean sheets in 34 Serie A appearances last season, and the Premiership heavyweights are said to have made first contacts with the 24-year-old’s representatives. There have been reports suggesting that his current employers want €50m for his services this summer. But whilst we talk about his possible transfer fee, let’s look into the hows and whys of his move to M16…
How can Carnesecchi fit at Manchester United under Ruben Amorim?
Manchester United want Atalanta star Marco Carnesecchi if Andre Onana joins AS Monaco this summer. (via X)
Manchester United want Atalanta star Marco Carnesecchi to replace Andre Onana this summer
Let’s get one thing straight: Amorim doesn’t require an “Onana-type” risk-taking keeper. Instead, the Portuguese head coach needs someone who brings that stable presence at the back and that starts from command of his area complemented by his vertical compactness in defensive transitions. There should also be a controlled buildup from the back (but not extravagant). And all this with presence of mind across the game, especially if the Manchester Reds are to sustain structured blocks along the games.
And if this is the context we are benchmarking the new signing to, then Carnesecchi does fit all the right boxes given he excels in shot stopping with his superb reflexes in 1v1s and close-range scrambles. He also has that composure in key defensive phases, especially when his current employers drop into a 5-3-2 low block (it’s kind of what Amorim may use situationally at M16).
Carnesecchi is also quite comfortable when playing in a high line, but then he is more measured than Onana, given how he is not looking to be reckless (chooses the right moments to leave the box) and has that defensive execution when it comes to recovery actions, especially without losing positional structure.
Whilst he can play short- and medium-range passes to full-backs and pivots, you won’t see him trying to act like the deep-lying playmaker like the Cameroonian within the ranks at M16. And he is also press-resistant and able to launch counters via long balls.
Amorim doesn’t require a magician in goal; let’s get it right. He needs more of a facilitator, and Carnesecchi is exactly that.
Strengths
Carnesecchi is elite when it comes to shot stopping and possesses those top-tier reflexes. He has shown maturity and composure under pressure met by consistency over the past couple of years.
Weaknesses
He doesn’t have that passing range that Onana has in his armoury. And he hasn’t been tested in high-margin games yet, especially one of those with a stature of what United are expected to play along the season.
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Author Opinion
Marco Carnesecchi will not be someone who plays with flair like Andre Onana but he is someone who can bring a sense of consistency and intelligence at the back. He is someone who can be the long term successor to David de Gea in goal.