André Onana’s future at Manchester United is facing growing uncertainty after a string of error-strewn performances that have seen him fall out of favour at Old Trafford.
Tensions escalated ahead of Manchester United’s Europa League quarter-final first-leg tie against Lyon last week, when André Onana was involved in a heated confrontation with former United midfielder Nemanja Matic.
However, the goalkeeper failed to justify his strong words on the pitch, making two costly errors that contributed to a 2-2 draw.
As a result, Onana was dropped from the starting lineup in the subsequent match—a 4-1 loss to Newcastle—with Altay Bayındır handed his Premier League debut.
Although Onana is expected to return to the starting XI for Thursday night’s return leg against Lyon at Old Trafford, questions persist over his long-term future at the club.
Onana makes United transfer decision
Fresh reports from MailSport have claimed that Onana wants to remain at United next season and turn his Old Trafford fortunes around.
It was explained that there is interest from within from Europe and Saudi Arabia for the goalkeeper ahead of the summer window.
But Onana and his family are settled in the north-west after they bought a house earlier this year. He wants to make a successful career at United despite a turbulent two years.
The shot-stopper remains unaware whether he will return to the United lineup against Lyon this week after he was left out of the squad to face the Magpies on the weekend.
His replacement, Bayındır, did not cover himself in glory during that game and made a glaring mistake for the fourth goal he conceded on the night.
Despite his difficulties, it still seems like Onana will be restored to the team for United’s most important game of the season so far.
What Onana needs to do to save United career
It is hard to say whether Onana can truly turn things around at United as things aren’t as easy for a goalkeeper.
Strikers who are out of form can go and score five games in a row and they will have supporters changing their opinions quickly. That can’t really happen for the man between the sticks, who is always one mistake away from having all of the attention on them.
Onana’s problems at Old Trafford have often been down to his inability to have long stretches without such mistakes. He can have great games and make brilliant saves but there is always a feeling that a mishap is around the corner.
In order to turn things around, he has to show a greater consistency over a significant period of time while also displaying the kind of ball-playing abilities which made United sign him in the first place.
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