Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has delivered a scathing criticism of goalkeeper André Onana following a series of costly errors in their narrow 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town. The Portuguese coach’s post-match remarks have sent shockwaves through the football world, as he publicly called out Onana’s poor performance and hinted at a potential change in the club’s goalkeeping hierarchy next season.
Amorim’s Frustration Boils Over
Clearly frustrated after the match, Amorim did not hold back in his assessment of Onana’s display, making it known that the Cameroonian international may not be his first-choice goalkeeper going forward. His anger was particularly directed at a major blunder in the fourth minute, where a miscommunication between Onana and new signing Patrick Dorgu led to Ipswich taking an early lead. The defensive mix-up allowed Jaden Philogene-Bidace to capitalize on the mistake and find the back of the net, leaving Amorim furious on the touchline.
The situation worsened when Dorgu was sent off in the 43rd minute after a reckless tackle, leaving United with ten men for the remainder of the match. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Red Devils managed to secure victory, with goals coming from an own goal by Sam Morsy and crucial strikes by Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire. However, Onana’s underwhelming performance overshadowed the team’s resilience and comeback.
Mounting Criticism and Fan Outrage
Onana’s errors have not gone unnoticed by fans and pundits, with criticism of his performances growing throughout the season. This latest mistake against Ipswich only added to the frustration, as supporters have been calling for the goalkeeper to be dropped. Social media platforms have been flooded with demands for his replacement, with many questioning why he continues to start despite his inconsistency.
The backlash isn’t new—earlier in the season, Onana was heavily criticized for a costly blunder in United’s 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest, where he let a routine shot from Morgan Gibbs-White slip past him. That mistake sparked outrage among the fanbase, and his latest performance has only intensified calls for a change in goal.
Amorim’s Shift in Stance
Initially, Amorim had been vocal in defending Onana, insisting that defensive errors were a collective responsibility rather than solely the goalkeeper’s fault. However, his tone has now shifted significantly, suggesting that his patience with Onana is wearing thin. His latest comments indicate that the Cameroonian shot-stopper is running out of chances to prove himself at Old Trafford.
Reports have already surfaced suggesting that Manchester United are actively scouting potential replacements. Among the names linked to the club are Porto’s Diogo Costa and AC Milan’s Mike Maignan, both of whom have been identified as possible solutions to United’s goalkeeping woes.
A Make-or-Break Period for Onana
As the season progresses, Onana finds himself under immense pressure to deliver improved performances. With Amorim’s confidence in him clearly shaken, the goalkeeper must produce a dramatic turnaround in form if he hopes to retain his place as United’s number one. Otherwise, his future at the club could be in serious jeopardy.
With United preparing for key fixtures ahead, all eyes will be on Amorim’s selection choices. Will he continue to back Onana, or will he opt for a new direction between the posts? One thing is clear: unless Onana significantly improves, his time at Old Trafford could be coming to an end sooner rather than later.
