Andre Onana Brutally Told His ‘Time Is Up’ at Manchester United

Ruben Amorim Urged to Consider Shock David De Gea Homecoming Transfer

At Old Trafford, goalkeepers have always carried the weight of more than just gloves and reflexes — they’ve been icons, leaders, and at times, saviours. But for Andre Onana, that romantic link between a Manchester United No.1 and the supporters feels like it’s breaking.

Two seasons after replacing David De Gea, the Cameroonian shot-stopper has been told, in no uncertain terms, that his “time is up.” The call for change isn’t just coming from frustrated fans in the stands, but also from ex-professionals, pundits, and even those close to the game who believe United simply cannot succeed without a new figure between the posts.

From De Gea’s Farewell to Andre Onana’s Struggles

David de Gea Fiorentina 2025

The timing of the latest criticism is almost poetic. Just last weekend, De Gea returned to Old Trafford with Fiorentina for a pre-season friendly — his first time back since leaving the club in 2023. The Spaniard received a warm ovation, the sort reserved for a player who gave over a decade of service, won multiple major trophies, and produced some of the most jaw-dropping saves in the club’s modern history.

Meanwhile, in the opposite goal, Andre Onana stood as a stark reminder of the club’s controversial decision to let De Gea walk away. Brought in from Inter Milan for £47 million ($63m), Andre Onana was sold as a modernising force — a goalkeeper who could play out from the back, build attacks, and help Erik ten Hag’s side control games in a new way.

But the reality has been far less convincing. Across two campaigns, his time has been marred by high-profile blunders, questionable positioning, and a shot-stopping record that has left supporters and analysts scratching their heads.

The Harshest Assessment Yet

Former Premier League striker Matt Jansen didn’t hold back when speaking to BettingLounge.co.uk. His words cut through the noise and landed like a thunderclap:

“They [United] won’t succeed until they change the goalkeeper, in my opinion. They were trying to go for Emiliano Martinez at Aston Villa — he’d be an improvement. Honestly, you could name half a dozen keepers who would be better than Andre Onana.

He hasn’t done well. Maybe even David De Gea could come back and still do a job. But it’s clear they need to make a change at the goalkeeper position, it hasn’t worked with Andre Onana, and his time is up. They never should’ve let De Gea go. That was a strange decision, and they’ve paid the price for it.”

It’s not the first time a pundit has questioned Andre Onana’s future, but it’s certainly the most direct. Jansen’s suggestion of a De Gea return might sound far-fetched, but in football — and especially at Manchester United — stranger things have happened.

A Quick Reminder of What Was Lost

De Gea’s final season at United (2022-23) was hardly a tale of decline. Statistically, he was still among the league’s top shot-stoppers, winning the Premier League Golden Glove and playing a key role in United’s third-place finish and their Carabao Cup triumph.

Yet the narrative at the time was that the game had moved on, and United needed a goalkeeper who could operate like Ederson at Manchester City or Alisson at Liverpool — comfortable with the ball, proactive in build-up play, and able to serve as an eleventh outfield player when required.

Onana ticked those boxes at Inter, where he shone during their run to the Champions League final. But the Premier League has proved an entirely different challenge.

Andre Onana Manchester United 2024-25

The Reality of Andre Onana’s Time at United

While there have been flashes of quality — pinpoint passes to initiate counters, confident claims in the air — they’ve been outweighed by the mistakes. Goals conceded from distance, misjudged sweeps off his line, and costly lapses in concentration have all fuelled the debate.

Injuries have not helped his case either. A hamstring issue during pre-season this summer sparked rumours that United were actively exploring alternatives, with names like Emiliano Martinez and Gianluigi Donnarumma reportedly on the recruitment shortlist.

For now, club sources suggest a move for a new No.1 will only materialise if a lucrative offer comes in for Andre Onana — an outcome that feels unlikely unless a European giant decides they can revive his confidence and form.

The Emotional Undertone

Beyond tactics and statistics, there’s an emotional element that can’t be ignored. United fans forged a bond with De Gea over 12 seasons. They celebrated his gravity-defying saves, empathised with his struggles, and respected his loyalty during turbulent years.

Onana, fair or not, hasn’t yet built that connection. His confident persona and risk-taking style are admirable when they work, but when they don’t, they can alienate supporters who still measure goalkeepers against legends of the past.

Ruben Amorim’s Role in the Decision

With United’s managerial shift and Ruben Amorim now in charge, the conversation has shifted from ‘if’ to ‘when’ changes will be made. Amorim’s high-tempo, press-heavy style demands a goalkeeper who is both secure with the ball and reliable as a last line of defence.

If he believes Andre Onana cannot meet those demands consistently, the logic of a change becomes unavoidable. And with De Gea proving at Fiorentina that he can still operate at a high level, the romantic — and perhaps practical — option of a homecoming suddenly feels less like fantasy and more like a calculated risk.

The De Gea Homecoming — Fantasy or Feasible?

From a financial perspective, a short-term deal for De Gea could make sense. He’s a free agent next summer, and his return would immediately endear Amorim to a section of the fanbase that remains unconvinced by Andre Onana.

The question, however, is whether United want to revisit the past or continue forward with their modernisation project. In football, sentiment rarely drives recruitment — but at Old Trafford, history has a way of repeating itself.

What’s Next for Manchester United?

Onana Bayindir

Onana is expected to be fit for the Premier League opener against Arsenal on August 17 — a blockbuster fixture that could set the tone for the season. If he starts, it will be a chance to silence the critics and begin a redemption arc. If he falters, the noise around replacing him will grow deafening.

For Amorim, the goalkeeper decision may prove to be one of the defining calls of his early tenure. Stick with Andre Onana and risk another season of inconsistency, or make a bold move — possibly even welcoming back a club legend.

Final Thoughts

Andre Onana arrived at Manchester United as a symbol of change. Two years later, he finds himself at a crossroads, his future questioned, and his position under genuine threat. In the stands, memories of De Gea’s heroics remain fresh; on the pitch, the demands of modern football are unforgiving.

Whether Amorim opts for a clean break or a sentimental reunion, the next few weeks could reshape United’s goalkeeping future for years to come. And if Jansen’s blunt assessment proves prophetic, Andre Onana’s time may indeed be up — leaving the door wide open for one of Old Trafford’s most beloved figures to walk back through it.