Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is facing an increasingly uncertain future at Old Trafford after losing his place as Ruben Amorim’s number one to start this season.
Falling down the pecking order
Ruben Amorim stood by André Onana last season despite the Cameroon international producing howlers in both the Premier League and Europa League.
After Onana’s costly blunder against Lyon in April, Amorim publicly defended him, describing the 29-year-old a “top, top player” at Inter Milan and insisting he could “work with André.”
Fast forward four months, however, and the picture has drastically changed.
Amorim has started the new campaign with Altay Bayindir as his number one, relegating Onana to the bench in both fixtures. A hamstring injury sidelined Onana throughout the summer and forced him to miss the entire pre-season, which was suggested as an explanation for Bayindir’s selection against Arsenal on the opening weekend.
But the Turkish shot stopper maintained his starting berth against Fulham a week later, despite being at fault for the decisive goal against the Gunners in an undeserved 0-1 loss at Old Trafford.
It’s evident, therefore, that Onana has fallen down the pecking order in Amorim’s mind.
And the arrival of Senne Lammens, with talks advancing for the Royal Antwerp goalkeeper, could further force the Cameroonian towards the exit door, despite Onana’s wish to remain at Old Trafford.
Interest from Turkey
Galatasaray are reportedly ready to test the waters with an approach for Onana in the hope that the prospect of first-team football will entice him to Istanbul.
Caught Offside reveals the Super Lig champions have “taken initial steps to explore [Onana’s] availability” with a pursuit of Manchester City’s Ederson having “proven difficult”.
“With Senne Lammens now edging closer to a move to Old Trafford, the Super Lig champions have taken initial steps to explore the availability of the Cameroon international.
“Sources indicate that the discussions have been very early and exploratory, but the very fact Onana’s name has entered the conversation highlights Galatasaray’s ambition to land a high-profile goalkeeper.”
The report states Onana’s “current stance” remains to stay and fight for his place with the Red Devils. But it is a World Cup year where players must consider first-team minutes if they are to book their place on the plane to the United States next summer.
If Lammens arrives, and Bayindir maintains his place above Onana in Amorim’s mind, the Cameroonian will likely be relegated to third in the order at Old Trafford – and there are not many third-choice goalkeepers who will be starting for their country next year.
Galatasaray will be hoping this situation can leverage an unlikely move for the former Inter Milan and Ajax star with the Turkish transfer window not closing until September 13, giving The Lions even more time to work on the deal.
Featured image Clive Rose via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
