Manchester United want to sign Marco Carnesecchi as a replacement for Andre Onana
In the midst of a period of restructuring and redefinition in football, Manchester United continue to look to the market for concrete solutions. The club, that are seeking to regain their winning identity after several inconsistent seasons, have begun to make important decisions about its squad.
The arrival of Ruben Amorim as coach seems to have sparked a renewal. Although there are more urgent positions to strengthen, the goalkeeper position is once again under scrutiny, driven by inconsistent performances that have failed to convince either the fans or the board. Thus, an old question resurfaces: who should be the goalkeeper at Old Trafford?
Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) has reported that the Red Devils have initiated their first steps to sign the goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi in the summer transfer window. Atalanta value him at £43 million. This is a substantial amount for a player who has not been part of a European giant, but does possess the potential to shine in the future.
Would signing Carnesecchi strengthen Manchester United’s goalkeeping options, or should they prioritize other squad areas under Ruben Amorim?
All these are due to the blunders and the inconsistent performances of United’s first-choice goalkeeper, Andre Onana, in the 2024/25 season. The Red Devils are not sure of his presence in goal and might be looking to offload him in the ongoing summer transfer window. The club have been looking for replacements like Emiliano Martinez and Diogo Costa.
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Analysing whether it is worth spending £43 million on Carnesecchi means looking beyond the immediate present. The 24-year-old Italian has shown unusual maturity in his position. He has polished footwork, quick reflexes and a commanding presence in the box that many coaches value.
Unlike Onana, he does not expose himself as much with risky decisions outside the area and offers a more sober image, although he still needs to improve on long balls and in high-pressure games. Compared to goalkeepers such as Ivan Provedel of Lazio or Alex Meret of Napoli, Carnesecchi has greater consistency and a more modern profile, although less experience in European competitions.
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Should United take this risk? If the club manage to sell Onana without significant losses, the gamble could make sense. But Amorim must consider that there are urgent needs in defence, midfield and attack. Spending that amount on a goalkeeper who has not yet proven himself at the highest level could be seen as an unnecessary luxury in this context.
On the other hand, if the objective is long-term, Carnesecchi fits perfectly with the idea of building a young and solid squad. Even so, cutting Onana’s process short so soon could have counterproductive effects. Changing goalkeepers every season does not generate stability or confidence in an already weakened defence. The real question is not whether Carnesecchi is better than Onana, but whether the club are ready to make a bet on the future without falling into another cycle of impulsive decisions.