Preparations for pre-season begin next week, yet Andre Onana still doesn’t know whether he is in the frame to remain the first-choice goalkeeper at Manchester United next season.
It would be fair to say Manchester United fans have a mixed relationship with Andre Onana.
The Cameroon international joined United from Inter Milan in a deal worth £47.2 million before struggling to prove his worth in his debut season.
Onana started the 2024/25 season strongly but eventually became error-prone behind a defence that would change most weeks due to injuries and missing personnel.
There have been calls for United to sign a new goalkeeper this summer, which could still happen if Altay Bayindir leaves the club in search of regular football. It remains to be seen if that keeper will be expected to challenge Onana for a place in the United first-team.
This means United go into pre-season with uncertainty. They’ve signed one player, with Matheus Cunha arriving from Wolves, but attempts have been made to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.
Ruben Amorim has to decide who will be his first-choice goalkeeper and leading striker, with Rasmus Hojlund struggling similarly over the course of the past two seasons.
Andre Onana playing for Manchester United with his head in his shirt
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Andre Onana set for crucial Manchester United meeting
There has been a lot of noise surrounding United’s goalkeeper position this summer.
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Recent reports suggest United are eyeing Brazilian stopper John Victor, who impressed for Botafogo at the Club World Cup. It is understood that United have scouts watching the tournament in the United States this summer.
United were also linked with a move for Emiliano Martinez at Aston Villa, with the experienced Argentine keen to make the move to Old Trafford from Villa Park.
The arrival of a keeper like John would create competition for Onana, while Martinez would be expected to come in as main man.
Speaking on The United Stand YouTube channel, transfer journalist Ben Jacobs explains that Onana is seeking direct communication on his future next week once he returns to Carrington for pre-season training.
“At the moment, nothing has been communicated to Onana,” Jacobs explained. He’s not been told he’s going. He’s not been told he’s on the market. He’s not been told they’re looking for another number one.
“So his presumed position is, he’s the number one at Manchester United. But he would certainly like, when he gets back on that 7th of July, to be told directly, ‘don’t worry, we’re not signing another goalkeeper’.
“Then if anything develops with Onana, and he is to leave, Manchester United will look to see if they can find a number one.”
Chelsea join Man Utd in race for Emiliano Martinez
Last week, it was reported that Chelsea were interested in a move for Villa’s Martinez.
United have been strongly linked to a summer move for Martinez and the belief in South America is that Old Trafford would be his priority.
The Mirror believe Chelsea have been offered the chance to sign Martinez for £45 million.
Villa are trying to bring cash in to ease fears over failing the Premier League’s PSR test.
The 32-year-old, who previously played for Arsenal, could be priced out of a summer move unless Villa drop their demands.
United would struggle to pay that unless they sold Onana.