Manchester United have problems all over the pitch, including between the sticks.
The Manchester United goalkeeping department has become a concern for Ruben Amorim.
When Erik ten Hag signed Andre Onana from Inter Milan, United fans got excited about the prospect of playing out from the back. The previous United manager showed David de Gea the exit door due to limitations with his footwork, but transition to life without the Spaniard between the sticks has been a difficult process.
A string of abysmal performances in the Champions League made for a tumultuous debut season for Onana at Old Trafford. His second season hasn’t been much better with mistake after mistake costing United games.
To his credit, Onana has performed well in the past week – in games against Fulham and Real Sociedad – but United were unable to win either of those matches.
Amorim has backed Onana publicly, which he is bound to do, especially while Altay Bayindir is out injured. The 28-year-old is expected to keep his role as first-choice goalkeeper until the end of the season.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Lee Hendrie tips Man Utd as best destination for James Trafford
There is a strong possibility that United will be in the market for a new goalkeeper in the summer. Not necessarily to replace Onana, but another stopper to provide more competition for the Cameroon international may prove beneficial.
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Reports suggest United are looking for a young keeper who can come in as a number two for now and eventually become the first choice.
According to TEAMtalk, United have shown ‘a lot of interest’ in Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.
The 22-year-old has become one of the best keepers in the Championship, where he has recorded an impressive 24 clean sheets as Burnley set themselves up to win automatic promotion to the Premier League.
While Trafford has been linked with a move to United, Newcastle are also tipped as serious suitors.
Former Premier League midfielder Lee Hendrie claims that United would be a better fit for Trafford if he were to move this summer despite Newcastle interest.
Hendrie highlighted that Onana’s form – compared to Nick Pope of Newcastle – would grant Trafford, formerly of Manchester City’s academy, a chance of becoming first choice at Old Trafford.
“Obviously, he’s had a brilliant season at Burnley and the clean sheets he’s having, that’s down to him and his backline,” Hendrie told Football League World.
“The moves to Newcastle or Man United, which would be better? This is difficult because Manchester United have to start turning a corner at some stage.
“Onana hasn’t been anywhere near his best in goal, and maybe looking like leaving the football club, so that may be an opportunity for him to take the reins in goal there.
“Newcastle obviously have got Pope, so it’s whether he’d play.
“I think he’d have more of a chance of playing at Manchester United if he’s going to go somewhere, but obviously going at a sort of fee where they’d be taking him to play.
“I think Man United would probably suit better as a building process for him, but that’s going to be down to his own general preference.”
James Trafford impressive Championship record
With Trafford in goal, Burnley have only conceded 10 goals in their 35 games, which has drawn comparisons to the Premier League record of 15 conceded by Jose Mourinho’s title-winning Chelsea team in 2004/05.
Burnley conceded against Crystal Palace on Tuesday night and it was the first goal conceded by Trafford in 1,132 minutes of football.
James Trafford – 12 games in a row without conceding a single goal in the Championship! The 22-year-old Burnley goalkeeper is having an incredible season:
☑️33 games
🧹24 clean sheets
⚽️9 goals conceded
🧤2 saves per game
📈88% save success
🥅2/2 penalties saved
⛔️10.52 goals… pic.twitter.com/Gool3gRMhB
— Football Talent Scout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) February 23, 2025
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It helps being a goalkeeper in a thriving side, but take nothing away from Trafford. There is good reason for bigger clubs to show interest in him.
Joining United would be a huge step up for Trafford and only time will tell if United are going to make a move in the summer.