‘Man United staff are concerned about Andre Onana from what I hear’
Man United are concerned about the performances of Andre Onana so far this season, according to the club’s former scout.
Mick Brown, who worked as the chief scout at Old Trafford for over a decade during their most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that “serious questions” have been asked about the 28-year-old.
United feel the goalkeeping position is one that could be upgraded in the summer, but are conscious of the money they have already spent on shot-stoppers.
Onana has made a number of significant errors this season, and supporters have frequently called for Man United to sell their goalkeeper as a result.
The goalkeeper has come under plenty of pressure as a result of these errors, but remains United’s number one despite Altay Bayindir’s impressive FA Cup displays.
He also almost cost his side the game when he parried a shot straight back into the danger area in the closing stages of the 2-2 draw against Everton.
As a result, United’s coaching staff have raised red flags about his inconsistencies and feel he has been a reason behind their struggles since Ruben Amorim’s arrival.
Andre Onana to stay at Man United despite concerns
Onana arrived at Old Trafford as the replacement for David de Gea in 2023, as United coughed up £47.2million in an effort to establish a long-term option in goal.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and also spent time as a scout for the likes of Tottenham and West Ham, insisted that the money spent on his signing has made the club reluctant to admit he has become an issue.
“The coaching staff concerned about Onana’s performances,” he told Football Insider.
“He hasn’t been good enough, and it’s becoming a major issue for them.
“The problem is, Onana was supposed to be the long-term solution in that position.
“They didn’t think De Gea was good enough with the ball at his feet, so they didn’t renew his contract and they went out to buy a new goalkeeper.
“So they ended up going out and paying £50million for Onana.
“Now, from what I hear, they don’t want to have to go out and spent big money on a new goalkeeper because it’s like admitting they got it wrong with him.
“Can you say at this point he’s £50million better than De Gea was? No chance.
“But given that’s what he was brought in to be, he’s got to come up with the performances to prove it, and he’s not been doing that.
“There are serious question marks about him because he’s made so many errors that have cost his side or made things far more difficult for them – like against Everton.
“Parrying the ball has been a problem for him, he struggles to push the ball wide which is an important aspect of goalkeeping to relieve pressure.
“Sometimes he makes saves where you wonder how he pulled it off, so he has to be given credit.
“But does he spread confidence to his defence and the players in front of him?
“If every time the opposition have a shot from range they’re worried they might be in trouble, then they’ve got serious problems in the side.”
Ruben Amorim leading transfer clearout at Man United
Amid question marks about Onana’s long-term future at the club, Amorim is continuing a potential clear-out of out-of-favour stars at Old Trafford.
The January transfer window saw Marcus Rashford moved on following a public falling-out with the manager, and Aston Villa are now keen to sign Rashford permanently.
Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider that Alejandro Garnacho could quit Man United after growing frustrated with his role in the squad.
The 20-year-old was heavily linked with moves to Chelsea and Napoli during the January transfer window, and could explore a potential exit in the summer.
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