Manchester United's £47.2 million gamble on goalkeeper André Onana is under severe threat, with the club's new INEOS regime conducting a brutal review of his disastrous debut season at Old Trafford.
The Cameroonian international, signed from Inter Milan last summer to replace the departed David de Gea, has been plagued by a catalogue of high-profile errors, directly costing his team crucial points in both the Premier League and Champions League.
INEOS Launches Brutal Performance Audit
With Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS now controlling football operations, no player is safe from scrutiny. A thorough audit of all major transfers is underway, and Onana's signing is at the top of the list for re-evaluation. The new hierarchy is questioning the logic behind investing such a vast sum in a position that was not deemed the most critical for reinforcement.
Club sources indicate that while a sale this summer is considered unlikely due to his diminished market value, Onana is no longer considered untouchable. His future is now squarely in the balance.
A Season of Calamitous Errors
Onana's time in Manchester has been defined by moments of madness rather than the ball-playing brilliance he was purchased for. His errors in matches against Bayern Munich, Galatasaray, and Brentford became symbolic of United's chaotic and error-prone campaign.
Despite showing brief glimpses of form, the consistency required for a Manchester United number one has been utterly lacking. The confidence he was meant to instill in the defence has been replaced by a palpable sense of anxiety that has spread throughout the entire back line.
What Comes Next for United's Number One?
The club is not expected to cut its losses immediately. However, The Mirror reports that United could be forced into the transfer market for a new goalkeeper far sooner than anyone anticipated when Onana signed his five-year deal.
This situation presents a massive dilemma for manager Erik ten Hag, who personally championed the signing of his former Ajax player. The goalkeeper's struggles have severely undermined the manager's own credibility and transfer judgement.
For now, Onana remains the first choice, but he starts the pre-season under more pressure than any other player in the squad. His every move will be analysed, and his first mistake will inevitably trigger a fresh wave of doubt about his ability to handle the immense pressure of the United jersey.
