Andre Onana met with Manchester United’s management at the start of the summer to talk about his future there.
After yet another disappointing season, it was not surprise that the Cameroonian goalkeeper was anxious about his role at Old Trafford. Onana foolishly said that United was superior to them prior to the Europa League quarterfinal matchup with Lyon. He then made two blunders and was benched for the Premier League match against Newcastle the following Sunday.
Onana was told that his spot was secure by United, even though this and the emotion of the fans seemed to turn against the former Champions League final goalkeeper. In June and July, the 29-year-old was also acting as an agent, seeking to convince his international teammate Bryan Mbeumo to sign with the Reds.
Onana was photographed with Mbeumo on the plane heading to the United States for the preseason tour after he signed. Unfortunately for him, he was only able to observe the trip to the United States while he healed from a hamstring injury.
When the Premier League and Onana returned, his place was not as secure as initially stated, indicating that something obviously transpired in the final weeks before the season began. All of the first league games have been started by Altay Bayindir, with Onana beginning the notorious Carabao Cup match against Grimsby Town.
It now seems that Onana’s fate was sealed after two errors in Lincolnshire and a lackluster showing in the penalty shootout. Senne Lammens joined the team from Royal Antwerp on the day of the deadline, and by the following Saturday, there were rumors that Onana was seriously considering a loan stint at Trabzonspor, a Turkish team.
It is striking how quickly and how drastically United’s faith in Onana has changed. No matter how you look at it, Ruben Amorim’s team has abandoned their previous top pick in a matter of months and appears prepared to take a chance with an unknown entity.
Even if they decide to keep Bayindir in goal for the time being, he is still having the best run of games in his career. Amorim’s prompt decision-making sends a powerful message to the rest of this Reds team.
Players simply cannot afford to rest on their laurels with him in charge and this is the clearest sign yet that if you are not performing to the required standard, your place in the starting XI – or at the club – is not safe.
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