‘The decision has been made’: Utd insider claims club are ready to accept defeat, £47m Ten Hag signing has to go

Manchester United have conceded that Andre Onana cannot be the man between the sticks if they’re to return to their former glories anytime soon.

It’s took them almost two years to come to the conclusion which, in fairness, fans had already accepted after his maiden season at Old Trafford.

Watching Liverpool equal the Reds’ record 20 league titles while your club’s goalkeeper is essentially throwing the ball into his own net every week has left the United faithful rallying for a new No.1 to be signed as soon as the window opens.

How Onana has fared this campaign

The Cameroonian entered 2024/2025 still comfortably the side’s first-choice ‘keeper. Altay Bayindir, who ranks behind him in the pecking order, has grown accustomed to playing second fiddle to Onana.

In his 46 appearances across all competitions thus far, he has conceded a whopping 62 goals whilst keeping only 10 clean sheets in the process.

As of April 10, no Premier League goalkeeper had committed more errors leading to goals (all competitions) than Onana with eight. That came after his dismal display away to Olympique Lyonnais in the Europa League quarter-final first leg, where he was largely at fault for both of the hosts’ goals in the eventual 2-2 draw.

INEOS awaiting summer offers for out-of-sorts Onana

Andre Onana smiles at the camera while training for Man United at Carrington complex. — Onana was signed by Erik ten Hag in July 2023. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

His lacklustre showing prompted Ruben Amorim to call upon Bayindir for the subsequent league clash at Newcastle United, with the Turkish international finally being awarded his Premier League debut after 19 months. He proceeded to concede four to the unrelenting Magpies – as did Onana when he was restored to the starting XI for the second leg vs Lyon four days later.

Still, it’s expected the ex-Ajax and Inter Milan man will retain his place for the upcoming semis against Athletic Bilbao, and they’ll no doubt be looking to target the erratic shot-stopper.

Amid speculation that United will part ways with Onana just two years into his five-year deal, the club’s former chief scout Mick Brown has shared his understanding of the situation.

“I hear some Saudi clubs have been looking at Onana,” he told Football Insider.

“United will have to put their hands up and admit they made a mistake on that one by paying the best part of £50 million for him. I think it’s a move he’d be interested in too, to get out of the spotlight and pressure at Man United.

“If they can make £50 million back on him, they’d snap your hand off, and they will be looking to make the majority of their money back if he is to leave. The decision has been made that he’s not good enough for where United really want to be.”