Manchester United’s goalkeeping woes took another disastrous turn this weekend, as André Onana’s latest blunder condemned the Red Devils to a miserable 3-1 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion. The loss marked United’s sixth defeat in just 11 Premier League matches since new head coach Ruben Amorim took over from the struggling Erik ten Hag. And with backup keeper Altay Bayindir impressing in the FA Cup, the calls for Onana to be dropped are growing louder by the day.
From Savior to Scapegoat: Onana’s Rapid Fall From Grace
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. When United shelled out a massive £47.2 million to sign Onana from Ajax in 2023, the Cameroonian international was hailed as the solution to the club’s longstanding issues between the sticks. His technical ability, vision, and passing range were meant to transform United’s buildup play and quickly turn defense into attack.
Fast forward two years, and that version of Onana is nowhere to be seen. His distribution has become hesitant and aimless, while his once rock-solid confidence appears shattered. The formerly commanding keeper and United’s fragile defense seem to be trapped in a vicious cycle, unable to instill any belief in one another.
Saturday’s howler was the latest nadir in Onana’s United career. With the Reds trailing 2-1 and pushing for an equalizer, the keeper fluffed a routine cross, spilling the ball straight into the path of Brighton substitute Georginio Rutter for a tap-in. Game over.
“An awful mistake from Onana. He’ll not want to look at this, he has no players around him. There’s no danger, just gather it and take it in.”
— Ex-United striker Dion Dublin on BBC
Bayindir Waiting in the Wings
As Onana’s form continues to deteriorate, Amorim now has a viable alternative to consider in Altay Bayindir. The 26-year-old Turkish international, signed as a backup last summer, was the hero of United’s FA Cup third round victory over Arsenal, saving two penalties in a dramatic shootout.
That performance transformed Bayindir from an untrusted benchwarmer to a credible challenger for the number one spot in the eyes of many United fans. And with each new mistake from Onana, the calls for Bayindir to be promoted are growing louder.
De Gea Departure Looms Large
Compounding United’s goalkeeping crisis is the ghost of David de Gea. Allowed to leave on a free transfer in 2023 to make way for Onana, the Spanish veteran is enjoying an Indian summer at Fiorentina. De Gea is yet to make an error leading to a goal this season in Serie A, with a superior save percentage and saves per match ratio than his successor at Old Trafford.
- De Gea’s departure is looking more and more like a costly mistake
- The Spaniard, 34, likely has several good years left in a top league
Moment of Truth for Amorim
All eyes will be on Amorim’s team sheet for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Rangers. Will he keep faith with the struggling Onana or turn to Bayindir for a much-needed spark?
It’s a decision that could have huge ramifications not just for United’s European campaign, but for their entire season. With Champions League football already looking like a tall order, Amorim desperately needs to stop the rot. Onana, for all his natural talent, is currently a LIABILITY rather than an asset.
“Far from emerging as one of the solutions to United’s problems, as had been hoped, Onana has become yet another concern in the long list of issues for Amorim to address.”
The Portuguese manager was brought in to turn United’s fortunes around, not to preside over the club’s continued decline. Solving the Onana conundrum could be the first step on the road to redemption. But with each passing week, that challenge only seems to grow more daunting.
One thing’s for sure – the United faithful won’t tolerate many more repeats of the Brighton debacle. It’s time for Amorim to be ruthless, before the Old Trafford terraces turn their ire from Onana to the man who continues to pick him.
