The latest controversial blunders from Andre Onana led him to be dropped for the game of Manchester United in Newcastle, in which Ruben Amorim knew that he should recruit a new number 1 this summer
A new keeper was not at the top of the spirit of Ruben Amorim when he started trying to breathe new life into Manchester United last November. But after viewing Andre Onana, his status confirms as more liability towards United than an active, Amorim must certainly have drawn to the conclusion that a change between the posts is required.
Amorim's decision to leave Onana on the weekend of United's Premier League trip to Newcastle was dressed as an opportunity for him to “rest and disconnect” after two expensive blunders in a 2-2 Europa League quarterfinals first be trek at Lyon. But no amount of spider or semantics can get away from the brutal reality that Onana was dropped by Amorim because of his repeated errors that have continued to cost united.
Since he came to United, Onana has made nine errors that lead directly to goals in all competitions, more than any other Premier League goalkeeper in the same period.
In addition to the two errors against Lyon, Onana also has a free kick by Ipswich's Jaden Philogene, which led to a goal in a narrow 3-2 victory for United in Old Trafford in February, as well as a series of high-quality blunders in his debut season.
Although he remains a competent shot stopper, Onana was apparently brought in for his distribution with his feet, something that his predecessor David de Gea struggled.
Yet the distribution of Onana is regrettable this season, the Cameroon International Barracked by its own fans in the recent scoreless derby with Manchester City because he does not release the ball quickly enough to start attacks.
Even when he uses his feet to play from behind, the delivery of Onana was found, his accuracy with his feet not what it should be for a keeper who plays at the highest level for one of the world's largest clubs.
That is why a signing of a new keeper of the first choice this summer has become necessary for United, with Altay Bayindir-Die four goals about his Premier League debut in Newcastle-not the answer. Amorim recently admitted that the rise of 18-year-old Ayden Heaven had changed United's thoughts about the need to enter the market for a new central defender this season.
Conversely, the deteriorating form of Onana has led to a realization among the United Hierarchy that they cannot continue with such a error -sensitive keeper if they are serious to return to the top. The arrival of Onana at United and the subsequent miserable form is emblematically for everything that went wrong in the club in the Post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
United paid Inter Milan £ 47 million for Onana in 2023, a year after he arrived as a free agent at the Serie A Club, after his contract had expired at Ajax. It was another example of poor recruitment and unnecessary too high editions, and a signing that United has undermined this season, their worst era of Premier League.
This summer, Amorim will continue with the revision and reforming his team, including a keeper who can play with confidence from the back and bring confidence to his defenders.
Senne Lammens from Antwerp and Lucas Chevalier van Lille are among the left-hand names that are linked to a move to United this summer, but anyone who decides to go ahead should definitely be an upgrade on Onanan.
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