The last time Andre Onana played in the Europa League, a careless pass led to Viktoria Plzen embarrassing the Manchester United goalkeeper.

The Cameroonian attempted to play the ball out from the back, intending to find Matthijs de Ligt, but his pass was intercepted and squared for Matej Vydra to put the Czech outfit into the lead. Two goals from Rasmus Hojlund later spared his blushes.

Onana did not play again in the league phase of the competition, watching from the bench as Altay Bayindir started the wins over Rangers and FCSB. However, the Turk will be missing for tonight's last-16 first leg clash with Real Sociedad, meaning Onana is poised to start.

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With their FA Cup campaign now over, it is firmly Europa League or bust for United; they have to win this competition to restore some pride in what has been a miserable season.

Now into the knockout stages, every potential error carries greater consequences. Onana has been guilty of committing one too many errors this season and he can ill-afford to make any more, particularly with head coach Ruben Amorim keen to add to his goalkeeping department this summer.

It is understood Amorim wants to recruit a goalkeeper who can challenge Onana for the No.1 spot at Old Trafford. Bayindir is not considered to be at that level and Tom Heaton could retire at the end of this season.

United have been linked with a plethora of goalkeepers in recent years, including Alex Remiro, who is poised to start in goal for Sociedad tonight.

It was reported by Spanish publication Marca last May that Remiro had made his way onto United's 'agenda' ahead of last summer's transfer window. However, United did not make any changes to their senior goalkeeping department ahead of this season.

Onana's regressive performances and Amorim's clamour for a new goalkeeper this year mean the Spaniard might make his way back onto their radar. If so, United will get a first-hand view of him at the Reale Arena.

Remiro joined Sociedad from Athletic Bilbao in 2019 and he has since made 257 appearances for the club, keeping 110 clean sheets.

He has kept the joint-highest number of clean sheets in La Liga so far this season (12) alongside Atletico Madrid shot-stopper Jan Oblak. He has kept 15 in 36 games across all competitions this term.

As well as proving to be a safe pair of hands, the 29-year-old is very comfortable with the ball at his feet. United signed Onana from Inter Milan almost two years ago because of his distribution qualities.

Praising Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen back in 2020, Real Madrid shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois acknowledged Remiro's quality with his feet, saying: "He [Ter Stegen] is the best in the game with his feet, just like Real Sociedad's Remiro which surprised me."

Courtois is not the only goalkeeper to have hailed Remiro's ball-playing expertise. Two years ago, former Sociedad goalkeeper Mat Ryan, previously of Brighton & Hove Albion, also praised his capabilities in possession.

"He's one of these modern-style goalkeepers, very good with the ball at his feet," said Ryan. He's very sound between the sticks as well."

Since joining United before the start of last season, Onana has rarely demonstrated the ball-playing expertise the club thought they were getting. He regularly played the ball out from the back at Inter with such precision, allowing the Italian outfit to progress the ball up the field.

However, that has rarely been on show at United. To compound matters, the increasing number of errors that have crept into his game this term have resulted in even more pressure and scrutiny being loaded onto his shoulders.

If those errors continue between now and the end of the campaign, United will have no choice but to look elsewhere for a genuine competitor to challenge him for the No.1 spot, and Remiro could be that man.

At 29, he is entering his prime years as a goalkeeper, with the shelf life of a shot-stopper often longer than an outfield player. The Spaniard could be one to watch.