Ruben Amorim after his side were beaten by Wolves. (Image: Getty)
manager now has another transfer dilemma on his hands as he prepares to take his side to tonight (Monday). Just over 24 hours before the January transfer window opens, United will kick off at St James’ Park trying to end a run of three straight defeats.
But regardless of the result, the Portuguese boss seemingly has much to do come January 1.
He’s immediately imposed his 3-4-3 style on the Red Devils, but it is clear new signings are needed with a number of players struggling to perform in the system.
And the last thing that the ex-Sporting man would have wanted was to be now considering the position of goalkeeper. After an erratic start to his career in England, improved under as the 2023/24 campaign went on, playing a crucial role in his side’s shock final win over .
But the form of both him, and No.2 Altay Bayindir, has given Amorim an unwanted headache – as has the fact a new report from the claims Onana is unsettled at the club and is reconsidering his long-term future, which the United hierarchy are well aware of.
Since the 39-year-old began his tenure, he’s seen Onana make a number of high-profile mistakes, including letting Matheus Cunha’s corner fly straight over his head and into the net last time out against .
Earlier this month, in the 3-2 home defeat by , the Cameroon international was beaten by a tame shot from Morgan Gibbs-White. He followed that with an awful error in the game at Viktoria Plzen, his attempted pass intercepted for the opening goal.
Andre Onana is struggling for form. (Image: Getty)
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Bayindir has hardly proved to be adequate competition either. The Turkish keeper turned in a terrible display , also beaten directly from a corner from Son Heung-min.
United are now reportedly . However, the Dutchman has more than three years left on his contract, and would not be a cheap solution to the club’s dilemma either.
And eyeing a new keeper is an issue Amorim does not need because he clearly has plenty of work to do elsewhere in his squad. That has been shown by their poor form across all areas of the pitch since he took over.
Amorim’s issue in goal was highlighted emphatically by Radio 5 Live pundit Chris Sutton, who hit out at both keepers conceding from corners within a matter of days. “It really does not help when your goalkeeper keeps on conceding goals direct from a corner – that is under-12s stuff,” he said.
“I remember it happening when I was watching my son play when he was about 15 and he got done off a corner. I told him you would never see it happen to a professional goalkeeper, but it has happened twice in two weeks to – first to Altay Bayindir and then Andre Onana. You could not make it up.”
United will also be looking to strengthen in a number of other areas. They currently lie 14th in the table following their worst ever start to a season, and have conceded 24 times in their 18 games.