It appears Manchester United may have to stick with Andre Onana as their first-choice goalkeeper for another season, as prospects of selling the underperforming player seem slim, according to football insider David Ornstein.
The Red Devils have endured a dismal campaign, with their recent 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Newcastle leaving them languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, embarrassingly below Everton managed by David Moyes.
Onana, a Cameroonian international, has been underwhelming lately, leading to manager Ruben Amorim omitting him from the squad for their clash with the Magpies last weekend. This decision followed a lacklustre performance in the Europa League quarter-final first leg, where Onana was culpable for both goals in a 2-2 draw against Lyon.
Amorim elaborated on his decision to bench Onana, telling Sky Sports: “You must see the context. It is a normal occurrence. Sometimes, you need to rest the player; other times, you should let them disconnect for a bit. He will return to training tomorrow to prepare for Lyon, so this seemed an apt time for Andre to take a breather.
“He understood the reasons. While he didn’t have to like it, he realised the rationale because I explained the situation thoroughly.”
Amorim further noted, “It’s a usual scenario. The mental aspect is as crucial as the physical, and this one-off rest gives Altay a deserved opportunity. We’ll regroup and focus on the next challenge.”
Rumours suggest Amorim is keen to offload Onana from Old Trafford come summer, with Espanyol’s Joan Garcia and Real Sociedad’s Alex Remiro touted as potential replacements.
However, David Ornstein of The Athletic has cast doubt on such a move, remarking that making a profit on the £47.2 million spent on Onana in 2023 is “almost non-existent.” Speaking to NBC Sports, Ornstein explained: “Questions hang over Onana’s future. He was acquired for £47.2 million, signing a five-year deal with an ancillary 12-month option. Without a substantial offer, United would struggle to offload him profitably, risking a PSR profitability and sustainability deficit, which complicates the possibility of a transfer.”
Onana has switched his representation recently, ostensibly to negotiate a new contract or improved terms. However, it appears the focus may now shift towards facilitating a transfer, a scenario Manchester United would not have predicted.
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