Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim wants to go back to basics in his search to bring a new goalkeeper to Old Trafford.
The Portuguese tactician is set to push for a shift in approach as he seeks a more traditional profile between the sticks - prioritising reliability over flair.
Andre Onana’s future at Manchester United is up in the air. He was left out of the matchday squad for the final Premier League clash of the season against Aston Villa last weekend and is on the transfer list ahead of the summer window.
Red Devils Facing Challenge to Offload Onana
Cameroon international at risk of having shortage of offers
Andre Onana in action for Manchester United against Lyon
Finding a suitable club to buy Onana is now the challenge for Manchester United, but sources indicate that Amorim wants to keep things simple when identifying a new shot-stopper.
The Red Devils' current first-choice custodian was signed for in excess of £47million under predecessor Erik ten Hag to great fanfare, especially due to his ball-playing skills and composure under pressure.
Onana's ability to initiate attacks from deep was seen as a crucial element in the Dutchman’s philosophy, mirroring their time together at Ajax. But Amorim, who arrived at Manchester United in November, quickly expressed concerns about Onana’s core goalkeeping abilities after taking control at Old Trafford.
Andre Onana's statistics for Manchester United this season
Within weeks of joining, we understand he spoke behind the scenes with key figures at the club to raise questions about his decision-making, positioning and command of the penalty area.
In response, Amorim quietly began tweaking the team’s tactical set-up, scaling back Onana’s involvement in short build-up play and instructing his defence to go forwards, in an attempt to limit avoidable errors.
Amorim Seeks Calming Goalkeeper Presence
Tactician eager to recruit more dependable option between sticks
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim on the touchline
While Amorim does not have the full say on recruitment decisions, particularly surrounding goalkeepers, his preferences are clear. He has made the key decision to look for a calming presence at the back. Someone dependable who can offer peace of mind and reduce the sense of volatility that has crept into Manchester United’s defensive displays.
The Red Devils will have a strong focus on simple, fundamental traits like shot-stopping, catching, and minimising errors rather than building play from the back.
Interestingly, Manchester United are not hung up on signing a big-name replacement. The next goalkeeper does not necessarily need elite-level pedigree - just the right qualities to suit the system and restore trust within the backline.
Still, there is a long way to go. Offloading Onana will not be simple given his wages, reputation, and the sizeable investment the Old Trafford hierarchy made. Even if he does not leave yet, the Red Devils are still expected to sign a new shot-stopper.
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Altay Bayindir is going to be sold and his replacement will be of a level to pose competition for a starting place, rather than just play back-up. All eyes are on how Manchester United will navigate a potentially tricky summer, but Amorim will be reshaping the identity of the team from the back.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 27/05/2025
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