André Onana shuts down Monaco interest and commits to Manchester United

The French club is interested, but Onana has one condition: he won’t settle for being a backup

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.

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 impressive performances at a young age attracted attention from European clubs, 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. He spent six seasons as Ajax’s first-choice goalkeeper, winning Eredivisie titles 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. Thanks to his experience and leadership qualities, he has firmly established himself as Cameroon’s number one between the posts.

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, some key individual mistakes, particularly in the eyes of the fans, occasionally led to a loss of trust.

Turning point after the Lyon match, but communication helped recover trust

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 approach by the coaching staff helped Onana re-establish his position in the team.

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. The report also emphasises that there are no plans to sell Onana or strip him of his first-choice status.