When André Onana signed for Manchester United in the summer of 2023, he was hailed as the modern goalkeeper the club desperately needed. Brought in for a hefty fee from Inter Milan, his reputation was built on ball-playing ability, calmness under pressure, and a key role in guiding Inter to the Champions League final. Yet, just two years later, his Old Trafford journey has come to an abrupt end.
United’s decision to move Onana on reflects both footballing realities and financial pragmatism. Despite flashes of brilliance, the Cameroonian never fully convinced supporters or critics that he was the long-term successor to David de Gea. His debut season was marred by costly errors in the Champions League group stages, where simple mistakes against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray undermined United’s campaign. Though he improved in the latter half of the season, inconsistency remained his biggest flaw.
Statistically, Onana fared better in the Premier League during his second year, registering a respectable number of clean sheets and showing leadership qualities. However, his style often clashed with United’s defensive vulnerabilities. Tasked with playing out from the back, he was too frequently exposed by shaky defenders in front of him. What was intended to be a revolution in the way United built attacks often descended into risky passes and avoidable turnovers.
The financial aspect of his departure cannot be ignored either. Manchester United, under pressure to balance the books while rebuilding the squad, saw Onana as a sellable asset. With clubs from Saudi Arabia and continental Europe circling, the decision was made to cut ties and recoup funds for reinvestment.
For Onana, the move offers a fresh start. Still only 29, he retains the qualities that made him a Champions League finalist and a top-level goalkeeper. Away from the glare of Old Trafford, he could yet rediscover his best form and silence critics who labelled his United stint a failure.
For Manchester United, however, Onana’s short-lived spell will be remembered as another expensive experiment that failed to deliver stability between the sticks. His departure underscores the club’s ongoing search for both identity and reliability—a saga that continues long after the final whistle on Onana’s era.
