The atmosphere at Old Trafford signals the onset of major change. After a dismal season that culminated in a humiliating 15th-place finish in the Premier League, Manchester United find themselves under immense pressure. The current project, now spearheaded by Rúben Amorim, is facing significant financial strain. The club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League has left an estimated £100 million hole in their revenue stream.
In light of that reality, the board is reassessing all available options, including potential high-profile departures. One of the biggest question marks surrounds the future of Bruno Fernandes, the most influential player at the club since the Sir Alex Ferguson era. His possible exit could mark the beginning of a sweeping rebuild.
While speculation around Fernandes dominates headlines, another key figure also finds himself on the list of potential sales: André Onana. According to The United Stand and Fabrizio Romano, via the Metro, the club is open to offers for the Cameroonian goalkeeper. Though no formal negotiations have begun, reports have linked Onana with Neom SC, a newly promoted side in the Saudi Pro League.
Will Andre Onana leave Manchester United?
Onana endured a turbulent season marked by inconsistency. Despite flashes of brilliance, several high-profile errors in key matches cast a shadow over his campaign. Within the club, there is a belief that a solid offer from Saudi Arabia could provide immediate financial relief, helping to address budget shortfalls and support Amorim’s squad overhaul.
Selling Onana could turn out to be one of the most pragmatic decisions Manchester United’s management makes this summer. Saudi Arabian clubs have consistently demonstrated a willingness to spend well above market rates, figures that most European teams are unwilling to match. If United can recoup a fee close to what they initially invested in the 29-year-old, it would provide a significant boost to the club’s financial position.
The Cameroonian arrived with high expectations, seen as a modern goalkeeper suited to building from the back. However, his debut season was marred by inconsistency, with costly errors undermining moments of brilliance. In that context, a sale, particularly to a financially generous Saudi side, might not only ease the pressure on the wage bill but also allow United to reinvest in a more reliable option between the posts.
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Beyond the potential transfer fee, offloading Onana would free up considerable space on the wage bill, allowing Manchester United to pursue a more dependable option in goal, or at the very least, one not constantly under scrutiny.
The central question, however, is whether Onana himself would be open to a move to a league with lower visibility, such as the Saudi Pro League. That remains uncertain. Still, there’s another lens through which this move can be viewed: sometimes, letting go of an inconsistent or underperforming player, regardless of their profile, can help restore balance and focus within the dressing room. Onana, for all his talent, has not provided the sense of stability United need between the posts. If a Saudi club is willing to make a serious offer, United should not hesitate. It’s a move that could bring both financial relief and tactical clarity.