This summer promises to be pivotal at Old Trafford. With Rúben Amorim now steering the ship, Manchester United are entering a new era, one defined by ambition, reconstruction, and the urgent need to restore identity. While most of the attention has shifted toward the attacking reinforcements Amorim is eager to secure, the unresolved question surrounding the goalkeeping position remains a silent but significant issue.
Last season exposed deep flaws in United’s defensive stability, with high-profile mistakes from André Onana eroding confidence and testing the loyalty of supporters. Yet, amid all the speculation and mounting pressure, the Cameroonian remains steadfast. Onana is not planning an exit, his mission is clear: to prove that he can be the dependable figure between the posts that Manchester United desperately need.
According to The Sun, AS Monaco have recently expressed interest in Onana. The Ligue 1 side reportedly reached out to his representatives, considering him a serious candidate should they lose one of their current goalkeepers. While no formal offer has been made, the inquiry underscores how Onana’s reputation still carries weight, even if it’s currently under scrutiny in Manchester.
Andre Onana has been linked with a move to Monaco, but the goalkeeper does not want to leave United
Despite external interest, the 29-year-old has made it clear: he wants to stay in Manchester. Onana is determined to rewrite the narrative, not walk away from it. Rúben Amorim, for his part, is already evaluating the possible departure of backup goalkeeper Altay Bayındır and is open to bringing in another shot-stopper to compete with the Cameroonian. But for now, the immediate plan is to keep faith in Onana.
The club’s priority in the market remains to reinforce the attack, and Amorim is determined to allocate the majority of the budget accordingly. A source close to the goalkeeper put it plainly:
“Andre’s plan is to stay in Manchester, and he wants to knuckle down and get United back to where they should be. His sole focus is on United and nothing else. He’s a confident person and wants to prove the doubters wrong. He knows he has made mistakes, but he sees proving people wrong as a challenge.”
Backing Onana’s continued presence may seem like a gamble after a turbulent season, but the reality is more nuanced. The 29-year-old has top-level experience and has repeatedly demonstrated the resilience to recover from setbacks.
Rúben Amorim hasn’t arrived to overhaul the squad just for the sake of it, he’s come to instil competition, not hand out automatic starting spots. Retaining Onana while raising the demands placed on him could be a pragmatic strategy.
The pressure may, in fact, sharpen his concentration and help him rediscover the composure he consistently showed at Inter. With Amorim aiming to build a tighter, more organised defensive structure, Onana could thrive in a system that offers more protection. Moreover, a complete reset in goal would require significant financial outlay and time-consuming adjustments, resources better allocated to more pressing areas of the squad.
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Manchester United need leaders with character. If André Onana is genuinely willing to shoulder responsibility and learn from his mistakes, then he may be worthy of a second chance. Rúben Amorim appears to favour balance, retaining a player who understands the pressure of representing United, while making it clear that no position is guaranteed.
It is within that internal competition, that healthy tension for places, where a crucial piece of the club’s rebuilding might take shape. Onana has responded with resilience before. Now, he must do so again. If he rises to the challenge, both he and Manchester United stand to benefit.