A palpable sense of unease is reportedly permeating the Manchester United dressing room, with senior players growing increasingly concerned over the club's handling of the goalkeeper position. The situation, stemming from the high-profile arrival of Andre Onana, is creating an unexpected rift within the squad at Carrington.
The Onana Conundrum: A £47m Gamble Backfires?
United's decision to replace long-serving David de Gea with Inter Milan's Andre Onana for a hefty £47.2 million was meant to signal a new era. Manager Erik ten Hag championed the move, banking on Onana's superior footwork to implement his desired style of play from the back.
However, the Cameroonian's start to life in the Premier League has been anything but stable. A series of high-profile errors have marred his opening performances, shaking confidence not just in the stands but, crucially, within the defensive unit in front of him.
Bayindir's Baffling Absence Fuels Tension
Compounding the issue is the treatment of summer signing Altay Bayindir. The Turkish international, recruited from Fenerbahce for £4.3 million, has yet to make a single competitive appearance for the Red Devils.
This has left many players questioning the logic behind his acquisition. The perceived lack of competition for the under-fire Onana is a significant source of the squad's discontent, with players baffled by the management's reluctance to explore other options between the posts.
A Divided Dressing Room
The goalkeeper dilemma is understood to be a primary topic of conversation among the playing staff. While publicly maintaining a united front, privately there is a strong feeling that the situation is not being managed effectively, creating an undercurrent of uncertainty that threatens squad harmony.
This internal friction presents a major early-season test for Ten Hag's man-management skills. Navigating this delicate situation will be crucial if he is to maintain the full belief of his squad and turn around the team's faltering form.
