In the view of club legend Gary Neville, “being Manchester United goalkeeper is the hardest position in English football”.
For every Peter Schmeichel there is a Massimo Taibi. For every Edwin van de Sar, a Roy Carroll. Managing to find a quality, long-term solution in the goalkeeping ranks has not always been plain sailing – just ask Andre Onana.
The scrutiny that surrounded his predecessor, David De Gea, has been replicated with the former Inter star, with questions already being asked over Onana’s suitability to life at Old Trafford.
Signed by his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag on a £47.2m deal in the summer of 2023 – a year on from having been available on a free – the Cameroonian ‘keeper has endured a real mixed stint in Manchester, putting together a highlight reel full of comical gaffes.
Despite starting the new season on strong footing, amid notable double saves against the likes of Crystal Palace and Fenerbahce, the 28-year-old has regressed again in recent months, having now made three errors leading to a goal in the Premier League this term.
Those woes – which include his mistake for Brighton and Hove Albion’s third goal last month – have sparked reports that an early exit could be on the cards for the experienced stopper, with new boss Ruben Amorim seemingly intent on shaking up his goalkeeping department.
The latest on Andre Onana's future at Man Utd
There could well be a summer of upheaval ahead, with Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst reporting that the number of departures could reach double figures for the Red Devils.
Among those looking set for an exit is veteran goalkeeper, Tom Heaton, amid the impending expiry of his contract, with the academy graduate having played just three first-team games following his return back in 2021.
That likely departure has come following further claims by Luckhurst that Amorim is keen on signing a new goalkeeper ahead of next season, thus throwing into doubt the futures of both Altay Bayindir and Onana.
In the case of the latter man, recent reports have indicated that the one-time Ajax hero could be open to sealing a move away from the Theatre of Dreams, with clubs in Saudi Arabia seemingly showing an interest.
Potential succession plans appear to have already been drawn up, with the latest speculation indicating that United have lodged an enquiry over Burnley sensation, James Trafford, with the 22-year-old having previously been on the books at rivals Manchester City.
The likelihood is that the Englishman would command a fee in the region of £30m, however, with United perhaps left to regret losing a dream alternative on a free. And no, it’s not De Gea…
Man Utd have already offloaded an Onana upgrade
The goalkeeping positions could well be in for major change at both Manchester clubs, with uncertainty surrounding Ederson at the Etihad, with the Brazilian having just a year left on his current deal.
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Amid City’s need for a replacement, recent reports have indicated that Pep Guardiola and co are keeping an eye on Torino number one, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, with the Serbian stopper having caught the eye in Serie A in recent times.
Interestingly, the 28-year-old – who his manager Paolo Vanoli described as “underrated” – was actually previously on the books at United, having been signed as a teenager back in the summer of 2014.
Following that move, the then-youngster subsequently returned to former club, Vojvodina, on loan for the 2014/15 campaign, before signing for Lechia Gdansk on a permanent basis in November 2015.
The rising star had failed to gain a work permit in England, hence the brief nature of his association with the club, with United forced into releasing the 6 foot 8 giant for nothing.
Fast forward almost a decade, and the 28-year-old is now shining in Italy’s top flight, having made 149 appearances for his current side since arriving in Turin in 2017, racking up 51 clean sheets in that time.
This season, in particular, Milinkovic-Savic has been at the peak of his powers after conceding just 31 goals in 28 league games, while Onana, by contrast, has shipped 40 goals in 29 league outings back in Manchester.
Goals against
1.06
1.47
1.04
Save percentage
77.8%
71.6%
75.2%
Save % (penalties)
57.1%
10%
66.7%
Clean sheet %
36.1%
21.3%
34.6%
Touches
47.86
41.60
34.35
Avg. length of goal kicks
56.8
46.6
45.0
Crosses stopped
6.7%
6.6%
2.7%
Defensive actions outside area
1.28
0.81
0.65
As indicated in the table above, the Serbian has outperformed his United counterpart across a string of metrics across the last 365 days, with it no surprise that those at the Etihad have begun to register an interest.
Not only is the 19-cap international seemingly a big upgrade on Onana, but he is also deemed to be a similar player to De Gea among those in their position in Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref.
Like Milinkovic-Savic, the Spaniard – who also departed on a free transfer in 2023 after 12 years at United – has been in fine form of late for Fiorentina, as indicated by his record with regard to save percentage and his goals against record.
The debate over whether Ten Hag was right to trade De Gea for Onana will rage on. As for the Torino star, he is simply among a growing list of ex-United ‘keepers – including Dean Henderson and Sam Johnstone – who have gone on to shine elsewhere.
Perhaps, if City’s interest does become more concrete, he will finally end up in Manchester after all…
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