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Ruben Amorim verdict on Erik ten Hag Man United transfer speaks volumes as decision made

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim reacts on the touchline
-Credit:PA


Ruben Amorim's interest in signing a new goalkeeper for Manchester United should be a warning to Andre Onana.

The former Inter Milan shot-stopper has had a better campaign than last term, but he remains a player riddled with errors. It is perhaps symptomatic of United's season that one of their better performers has still been prone to poor mistakes that have cost his team.

Onana was brought in under Erik ten Hag for big money after impressing during Inter's run to the Champions League final two seasons ago. This was meant to be a goalkeeper who would represent an upgrade on an ageing David de Gea, who was past his peak.

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But the reality is that Onana has been arguably worse than the player he was supposed to replace and transform United into Ten Hag's vision of a team playing out from the back. Now, his former manager at Ajax is no more at Old Trafford, and Amorim is looking to make changes between the sticks.

That's not to say that Onana will be jettisoned out of M16 in January or even the summer. But United need a new goalkeeper who can provide some much-needed competition for a player whose position has been relatively comfortable so far.

United's current backup keeper, Altay Bayindir, has barely played since joining in the summer of 2023. His performance during December's 4-3 defeat at Tottenham perhaps showed why.

Every top team need a good backup keeper to push their first-choice shot-stopper. Liverpool have it with Caoimhin Kelleher, a strong alternative to Alisson, whilst Stefan Ortega and Ederson have been at the cornerstone of Manchester City's success in recent seasons.

Signing a new goalkeeper will surely be low down United's list of priorities, though, and that may spare Onana from being benched for the time being. Wing-backs to fit Amorim's 3-4-3 system, a consistent goalscorer, and new midfielders with Casemiro and Christian Eriksen ageing must surely be looked at first.

But if United are to become title challengers one day under Amorim, they must sort out their goalkeeping issues.