When a new manager arrives at a club, one of their first tasks is to make bold decisions that establish authority and set the tone for their reign. At Manchester United, Rúben Amorim has wasted little time doing exactly that. Reports now claim he has been very clear with both André Onana and the club’s hierarchy: he does not consider the Cameroonian goalkeeper his first-choice option going forward.
This revelation is seismic for several reasons. It affects the balance of United’s squad, the direction of their rebuild, and the confidence of a player once heralded as a symbol of modern goalkeeping. Most of all, it highlights Amorim’s ruthless determination to shape United in his own image, no matter how uncomfortable the choices may be.
Onana’s Rocky Time at Old Trafford
Onana’s arrival at Manchester United was supposed to usher in a new era. Signed from Inter Milan in 2023, he was billed as the modern goalkeeper United desperately needed — comfortable with the ball at his feet, confident in distribution, and brave enough to sweep behind the defensive line.
But his time in Manchester has been anything but smooth. Though he made key saves and played a part in United’s FA Cup triumph, his penchant for risky decisions and costly mistakes often overshadowed his contributions. For many fans, Onana’s performances were a rollercoaster of thrills and spills.
Now, just two years after his high-profile arrival, he finds himself out of favour. Amorim’s blunt assessment confirms what many had begun to suspect: the manager wants to move in a different direction.
Amorim’s Ruthless Clarity
Managers are often judged by how quickly they can impose their vision on a squad, and Amorim’s stance on Onana is a prime example. By clearly communicating that the 28-year-old is no longer his starter, Amorim has avoided any ambiguity. There will be no guessing, no half-measures — only a direct message that sets the tone for the rest of the team.
This clarity serves two purposes. First, it gives the board a mandate to reshape the goalkeeper department, whether through promoting Altay Bayindir, investing in Senne Lammens, or seeking another signing. Second, it sends a message to the squad: reputations do not guarantee places.
For a club that has often been accused of clinging to big names rather than making hard calls, Amorim’s decisiveness feels like a breath of fresh air.
The Bayindir and Lammens Question
If Onana is not the starter, who is? That’s the question now hanging over Old Trafford. Altay Bayindir has struggled to convince since his move from Fenerbahçe, rarely getting chances to show his worth. Some argue he has not been fairly tested; others believe his ceiling is not high enough for United’s ambitions.
Then there’s Senne Lammens, the 22-year-old Belgian brought in as a project. Talented and promising, yes — but unproven at the top level. Throwing him into the chaos of Premier League football could either accelerate his development or overwhelm him completely.
By removing Onana from the equation, Amorim is taking a calculated gamble on one of these alternatives. It could pay off spectacularly or backfire in brutal fashion.
Risk vs. Authority
At face value, Amorim’s decision looks risky. United already face enough uncertainties — a transitional squad, high expectations, and the pressure of returning to the Champions League places. Removing an experienced goalkeeper and replacing him with an untested option adds another variable.
But this move is also about authority. Amorim is making it clear that he will not compromise his vision for the sake of comfort. By sidelining Onana, he is demonstrating that performance and trust matter more than reputation or past achievements.
In that sense, it’s less about Onana as an individual and more about Amorim setting the cultural tone: no one is undroppable.
What This Means for Onana
For Onana, the writing is on the wall. Once hailed as the modernising force United needed, he is now surplus to requirements. The question is whether he will accept a backup role or push for a move elsewhere.
Given his age and pedigree, the latter seems likely. Clubs across Europe still value his qualities, even if United fans remain divided on his impact. But wherever he goes next, Onana’s time in Manchester will be remembered as short, turbulent, and unfinished.
United’s Bigger Goalkeeping Puzzle
Beyond Onana, this saga highlights a bigger issue: United’s struggles to establish stability in goal since the decline of David de Gea. After more than a decade of relying on the Spaniard, the club swung in the opposite direction by signing a bold, risk-taking goalkeeper in Onana. Now, they appear to be pivoting again.
The lack of continuity is troubling. Successful teams usually build around a consistent presence in goal — think Čech at Chelsea, Alisson at Liverpool, or Ederson at City. By contrast, United have lurched from one solution to another, undermining defensive confidence. Amorim’s call could provide long-term stability, but only if his chosen replacement delivers.
Fans’ Reaction: Relief or Concern?
Among supporters, reactions are likely to be split. Some will welcome Amorim’s decisiveness, tired of watching Onana’s risky play and costly errors. For them, moving on represents a chance to rebuild with a calmer, more reliable goalkeeper.
Others, however, will see danger. Onana, for all his flaws, was still experienced and capable of big saves. Replacing him with an untested option feels like a gamble too far for a club already teetering between rebuilding and competing.
Final Thoughts
Rúben Amorim’s message on Onana is loud and clear: he is not United’s starter. It is a bold, risky, and perhaps necessary decision. It shows a manager unafraid to make unpopular calls in the pursuit of authority and progress.
But it also leaves Manchester United walking a fine line. By sidelining Onana, Amorim has raised expectations on Bayindir, Lammens, or a potential new arrival. If they succeed, he will be hailed as a visionary who had the courage to cut ties early. If they fail, questions will return — not just about the goalkeeper position, but about whether United are once again sabotaging their own stability.
