Manchester United’s ongoing goalkeeper situation has come to the forefront as the team prepares for the new Premier League season. Following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, coach Ruben Amorim emphasized the need for patience in addressing the club’s challenges. While the summer saw significant investment in attacking players, including Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko, the decision not to acquire a new goalkeeper remains a point of contention.
Amorim’s first press conference of the season showcased the newly upgraded Carrington training centre, which underwent a £50 million renovation. The coach expressed his satisfaction with the improvements, stating, “Better, eh?” as he engaged with reporters ahead of the opening match against Arsenal at Old Trafford. He discussed the changes in team preparation, now opting for pre-match meetings at Carrington instead of Old Trafford, aiming to enhance player focus.
Despite the upbeat atmosphere, the aftermath of the Arsenal match highlighted the critical goalkeeper issue. The loss was partly attributed to a mistake by Altay Bayindir, who allowed Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori to score the decisive goal. In the post-match conference, Amorim defended Bayindir, asserting he is “happy” with his goalkeeping options, which also include Andre Onana and Tom Heaton. Nonetheless, the coach’s earlier comment about change being a gradual process echoed in his mind, particularly following the team’s latest setback.
Discussions around signing a new first-team goalkeeper began as early as January. However, the club’s focus shifted toward bolstering the attack after a season where United managed only 44 Premier League goals, marking the fifth-worst performance in the league. Over £200 million has been allocated for the acquisitions, aiming to give the team a more formidable offensive presence. Consequently, other areas requiring improvement, particularly in goal and midfield, may need to be addressed at a later date.
The financial constraints faced by United’s management, led by CEO Omar Berrada, reflect a similar situation to that encountered by former coach Erik ten Hag in 2022. Ten Hag recognized the need for a different goalkeeper than David De Gea, the club’s previous No. 1. However, with numerous positions in need of strengthening, he opted to invest in players like Lisandro Martínez, Casemiro, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia instead.
As the season progressed, Ten Hag ultimately decided to part ways with De Gea and signed Onana in the summer of 2023. Since joining United, Onana’s performance has been inconsistent. Despite some remarkable saves, including a standout moment against Ipswich Town, he has also made critical errors, such as two costly mistakes against Lyon in the Europa League, which led to his temporary exclusion from the starting lineup.
The current goalkeeper situation presents a dilemma for Amorim. In his two years in the Premier League, Onana has directly contributed to five goals against his team, ranking him among the league’s most error-prone goalkeepers. His save percentage stands at 68.5%, placing him 11th in the league, and he ranks 12th for goals prevented per 90 minutes.
Efforts to address the goalkeeper issue during the transfer window have been met with challenges. A loan bid for Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa was rejected shortly after Onana’s hamstring injury during preseason. Interest in Joan García faded as he opted to join Barcelona from Espanyol. United has also considered Senne Lammens from Antwerp, though he is not viewed as a primary choice.
Following the defeat to Arsenal, United sources indicated that any additional transfer funds generated from player departures, likely including Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund, would be directed toward midfield reinforcements rather than a new goalkeeper. Onana’s market price is around £30 million, but interest from other clubs has been minimal since a tentative inquiry from Monaco in June. For now, he is expected to remain with United, with plans for him to reclaim his starting position for the upcoming match against Fulham.
The game at Craven Cottage presents an opportunity for United to build on the positive elements from their performance against Arsenal and secure their first points of the season. While Amorim has made several adjustments to revitalize the team, the resolution of the goalkeeper situation may take longer to achieve, casting a shadow over the club’s aspirations for improvement this season.
