INEOS are now having to right some of the wrongs made by Manchester United’s key decision-makers prior to their arrival.
One was Andre Onana, who failed to hit the ground running when succeeding David de Gea between the sticks at Old Trafford.
While the goalkeeper has come in clutch on numerous occasions for the club with some acrobatic and crucial saves, his catalogue of costly howlers is growing to the point of being unacceptable.
This season, the Cameroonian has conceded 40 goals in 29 Premier League appearances, keeping only eight clean sheets in that time. However, the absence of Altay Bayindir through injury means Ruben Amorim has no choice but to stick with Onana – or else call upon an inexperienced youth prospect from the academy.
Why United have set their sights on James Trafford over other goalkeepers
Onana was chosen by Erik ten Hag back in 2023 due to the pair working together at Ajax. Now that the Dutchman is gone, Amorim is paying the price for several of his acquisitions being simply unsuitable for his setup.
That’s why the board are now on the lookout for a new shot-stopper to occupy the role – and they may have to turn to a product of Manchester City’s youth ranks.
Indeed, according to TBR Football, the Red Devils are said to have held talks over a potential swoop for Burnley’s James Trafford, who departed the Etihad for Turf Moor in a £15 million transfer in July 2023.
A torrid season upon the Clarets’ return to the top flight culminated with them eventually dropping back down to the Championship, with gaffer Vincent Kompany then cherry-picked by Bayern Munich chiefs to fulfil their managerial vacancy.
Trafford, 22, has enjoyed a consierably more enjoyable campaign in 2024/2025 – so much so that he’s been making headlines with his scintillating efforts to aid his side’s promotion quest. In 37 league matches, the youngster has kept a remarkable 26 clean sheets, conceding only 11 goals in the process.
Onana will have to be replaced this summer if United want to move forward. His decision making and stupid mistakes has cost United many points this season. The backline don’t seem to have any confidence in him and it makes them nervous.
We will also need to be very careful not to make any mistakes in the players we bring in this summer. A prolific goalscoring CF as well as a prolific number 10 is also needed as our goal difference for the past 2 seasons is very bad.
He or Juan Garcia should be brought in. The both of them are good goalies and would do the club proud.
Amorim is paying the price for several of ten Hag’s failed acquisitions and wants to replace them with his own. When will United learn, it is the Club who should dictate the styles of play and the players to fit the system, not which ever manage is incumbent at the time. This is the only way to achieve continuity instead of upheaval.
Re you saying ten hang did played his own pattern when he was at man UTD?the players dictate for him that is why he left his pattern of play to please the players and person like you too,man let this man play his pattern cos they knw what he played in his previous club that is why they brought him….can you teach what you don’t knw ?let him do what he knw thanks
Amorin should never have tried to change the system until next season when he could sign players to fit his system and have the summer to work on it with them