Gary Neville Warns Man Utd They Face Another Poor Season if Red Devils Don’t Solve Problem Position

Why Gary Neville Believes Manchester United Must Replace Andre Onana to Avoid Finishing Eighth or Ninth

Gary Neville is never shy about saying what he really thinks about Manchester United. The former right-back turned pundit has delivered his latest verdict on the Red Devils’ chances this season, and it’s not exactly optimistic. In fact, he’s issued a stark warning: unless United solve what he calls their “problem position” — goalkeeper — they could be looking at another underwhelming campaign, one that ends with them slipping down to eighth or ninth in the Premier League.

What Happened?

The issue, according to Gary Neville, starts between the posts. Andre Onana arrived at Old Trafford from Inter Milan in 2023 with a reputation for being one of Europe’s most confident ball-playing goalkeepers. But since then, things haven’t gone according to plan.

Over the past two seasons, the Cameroon international has endured a string of costly mistakes. By April of this year, he had committed eight errors leading to goals in all competitions — more than any other Premier League goalkeeper. For a club with ambitions of returning to the top, that’s an alarming statistic.

Neville, speaking on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, made it clear that in his eyes, United’s first priority in the transfer market should be finding a new No. 1.

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The Bigger Picture

The Red Devils are under new management this season, with Ruben Amorim taking charge. The Portuguese coach has inherited a squad full of potential but also packed with question marks.

Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton are the only realistic alternatives to Onana right now. While both are experienced professionals, neither is seen as a long-term solution for a club with Champions League aspirations.

It’s no surprise, then, that United have been linked with big-name replacements. Among the names mentioned are Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez and Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma.

What Gary Neville Said

Neville’s assessment was blunt and to the point:

“You’ve got to get a goalkeeper. If you’ve got a goalkeeper and a midfield player, I think fifth or sixth will be achievable. I think without a goalkeeper, it’s eighth or ninth.”

He also stressed that being Manchester United’s goalkeeper is arguably the toughest job in English football.

“That is the number one most difficult position in English football, Manchester United goalkeeper. I think it’s the most scrutiny that anybody comes under.”

And when it comes to potential signings, Gary Neville made his preference clear:

“Donnarumma or Martinez. When they said about Martinez from Villa earlier in the season, I wanted him. His personality. He’s got guts. He’s got that presence.”

Why the Goalkeeper Role Is So Crucial at Man Utd

It’s easy to underestimate how much pressure comes with wearing the gloves at Old Trafford. Gary Neville knows first-hand from his playing days that every mistake is magnified, every save scrutinised.

Manchester United’s history is full of legendary figures between the sticks — from Peter Schmeichel to Edwin van der Sar — and the comparison to those greats is relentless.

For Onana, the expectations were enormous when he arrived. Not only did he have to replace David de Gea, a player who had been a fixture at the club for over a decade, but he also had to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity and physicality. His ability to play out from the back was seen as a key asset, but when errors creep in, that confidence can quickly turn into a liability.

The Transfer Links: Donnarumma and Martinez

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Emiliano Martinez

The World Cup-winning goalkeeper with Argentina has been one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers since his move to Aston Villa. His presence in the box, leadership, and knack for pulling off big saves in big moments make him an attractive option.

Martinez also seems tailor-made for the mental demands of the United job. Gary Neville called it “guts” — that fearlessness to step up when the pressure is highest. While Villa are understandably reluctant to let him go, there have been hints of a potential departure, especially after Martinez appeared to wave goodbye to fans last season.

Gianluigi Donnarumma

At just 26, the Italian international has already racked up over a decade of top-level experience. A European Championship winner with Italy and a regular starter for PSG, Donnarumma’s future in Paris looks uncertain following the signing of Lucas Chevalier from Lille. His agent has openly said that Donnarumma would be interested in a move to the Premier League.

For United, Donnarumma’s shot-stopping ability and commanding presence could provide the stability Gary Neville is demanding.

What This Means for Ruben Amorim

For new manager Ruben Amorim, this goalkeeper dilemma is one of the first major challenges of his tenure. If he sticks with Onana and the Cameroonian continues to struggle, criticism will inevitably come his way. But if he moves quickly to bring in a new No. 1, he risks disrupting the squad dynamic before the season even gets into full swing.

This is the balancing act all top managers face — and at Manchester United, the margins for error are razor-thin.

Did You Know?

• Andre Onana had the highest number of errors leading to goals in the Premier League by April last season.

• Emiliano Martinez is still under contract with Aston Villa but has openly admitted his ambition to play at the highest possible level.

• Gianluigi Donnarumma made his professional debut at just 16 years old for AC Milan.

• Manchester United have not had a goalkeeper win the Premier League Golden Glove since David de Gea in 2017-18.

What’s Next for Manchester United?

Onana hasn’t featured in any of United’s pre-season matches due to injury, but early reports suggest he could be fit for the Premier League opener against Arsenal on Sunday.

Whether that’s good news or bad depends on your point of view. Gary Neville would probably argue that unless United make a decisive move in the transfer market soon, they’re heading into another season with the same Achilles heel.

If the club does pull the trigger on a new signing, the question will then become how quickly that player can adapt — because in the Premier League, time is rarely on your side.

Neville’s Warning in Context

It’s worth noting that Gary Neville isn’t just being critical for the sake of it. He’s speaking from experience, having seen United teams both dominate and flounder over the years.

When he says “goalkeeper is the most difficult position in English football,” it’s not hyperbole. At Old Trafford, you’re not just expected to save shots — you’re expected to be a leader, a communicator, and an ever-reliable last line of defence.

If United can solve that problem position, Gary Neville believes they can push for a top-five finish. But if they don’t? In his words: “eighth or ninth.” And for a club of Manchester United’s stature, that’s simply not good enough.