Bad news for Manchester United: André Onana out for 6–8 weeks

Uncertainty in goal: Bayındır or a new signing?

United now face a key question: who will start in goal during Onana’s absence?

Should United opt against signing a replacement, Altay Bayındır is expected to step in. Although the Turkish goalkeeper only featured in a few matches last season, it may offer him a rare opportunity to prove himself at the highest level.

Tom Heaton, a seasoned backup, remains an option—but he didn’t feature in any official matches during the 2024–25 season.

Vítek is considered a long shot for the first team at this stage, having spent last season on loan at Austrian second-tier side BW Linz.

Emiliano Martínez emerges as a target

This injury blow has intensified United’s search for a new goalkeeper.

Fabrizio Romano had previously mentioned Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez as being on the club’s radar. According to The Guardian, Martínez is one of the keepers being evaluated by United as they seek a reliable option for the position.

Interest from Monaco: Onana wants to stay

Another development surrounding Onana involves growing transfer speculation.

French club AS Monaco have reportedly shown interest in the Cameroonian goalkeeper, as first reported by FootMercato:

“L’AS Monaco s’attaque à André Onana ! Selon les dernières informations de la presse italienne, le club s’intéresse à André Onana.”
(FootMercato, 28 June 2025)

Similarly, TeamTalk also reported:

“Onana is ready to reject the interest from Monaco.”
(TeamTalk, 22 June 2025)

The same report claims that Manchester United could be open to loaning Onana at the end of the season.

Onana, however, has made it clear that he has no intention of leaving Manchester United and prefers to stay in Manchester.

AS Monaco’s intention to strengthen their goalkeeper rotation during the summer transfer window has been explicitly reported by The Guardian, which notes that Manchester United’s Cameroonian goalkeeper André Onana is on their radar. The report also states that Monaco are considering Chelsea’s Djordje Petrović as an alternative. However, the process is said to be in its early stages for both players.

Despite Monaco’s interest, Onana’s side has taken a clear stance. According to ESPN, the 29-year-old goalkeeper will only consider a departure if manager Ruben Amorim explicitly tells him that he won’t be the first-choice goalkeeper. Unless this condition is met, Onana is understood to be fully committed to continuing his career at Old Trafford.

Both FootMercato and TeamTalk have confirmed that AS Monaco have made concrete approaches for Onana, but the player himself is not currently open to these offers. Meanwhile, although Lyon’s name has appeared in some speculative reports, the club’s interest has not been confirmed by credible English sources like Sky Sports and remains unverifiable at this stage.

Career history: from La Masia to Manchester

Career history: from the Samuel Eto’o Academy to Ajax, rise at Inter and journey to United
Onana began his football journey at the Samuel Eto’o Academy in Cameroon. His early promise quickly caught the eye of Europe’s top scouts, leading to a transfer to FC Barcelona’s world-renowned La Masia academy. During his years at La Masia, Onana developed significantly in both technical ability and game discipline.

In January 2015, Ajax signed the young goalkeeper for a transfer fee of €150,000. He initially played for Jong Ajax and was promoted to the first team ahead of the 2016–17 season. Onana became a mainstay at Ajax, holding the No.1 spot for six seasons and playing in numerous high-stakes European matches.

Following the expiration of his contract in the summer of 2022, Onana joined Serie A side Inter on a free transfer. Although he spent just one season in Milan, his performances earned high praise. He played a key role in Inter’s run to the Champions League final—13 years after their last appearance—thanks to his consistent displays.

As a result of this rise, Manchester United, who had parted ways with David De Gea before the 2023–24 season, handed the gloves to Onana. The English club paid Inter €50.2 million in transfer fees for the deal.

Cameroon national team career

André Onana earned his first cap for the Cameroon national team on 6 September 2016. Since then, he has made 48 international appearances and represented his country in major tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup. Onana has long cemented his place as Cameroon’s undisputed No.1.

A season full of criticism, but the numbers tell a different story

Although Onana’s performances during the 2024–25 season were at times criticised, overall statistics indicate he made a significant contribution. The Cameroonian goalkeeper appeared in 50 official matches for Manchester United across all competitions, conceding 65 goals and keeping 11 clean sheets.

In the Premier League alone, Onana recorded a 69% save rate. According to advanced metrics by FBref, he conceded fewer goals than expected based on the shots he faced. This metric offers clear evidence of the reliability he brought between the posts. However, a few high-profile errors cost him the fans’ full confidence.

One of the most controversial moments of the season occurred in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals against Lyon. A major mistake by Onana caused the team to lose their advantage. In response, manager Ruben Amorim left him out of the starting XI for the next Premier League fixture.

“Sometimes it’s best to throw a player straight back into the action. Other times, he just needs a moment to reset. I spoke to Onana, explained the reason. Not everyone may like these decisions, but at least they show understanding. That’s very important for trust,”

Amorim explained.

This constructive response from the coaching staff allowed Onana to regain his place with confidence.

ESPN: Club searching for a new keeper, but not to replace Onana

According to ESPN, Manchester United are scouting goalkeepers to strengthen their rotation. However, these efforts are not aimed at replacing Onana. The club’s priority appears to be boosting depth and securing reliable alternatives. There are no plans to offload Onana or alter his standing as the club’s No.1.