Manchester United are facing a potential goalkeeper dilemma as Andre Onana deals with a hamstring injury sustained during a training session. The injury could sideline him for the start of the club’s pre-season campaign, raising questions about who will take up the No.1 spot in the interim.
Medical staff continue to assess Onana’s condition, but early signs suggest he is responding positively to treatment. Despite this, his participation in upcoming fixtures remains uncertain. The club’s plan is still for him to join the rest of the squad on their pre-season tour to the United States, where they are scheduled to face West Ham, Everton, and Bournemouth as part of the Premier League Summer Series.
United are set to kick off their pre-season schedule with a match against Leeds in Stockholm on 19 July, before playing Fiorentina at Old Trafford on 9 August. Their Premier League campaign begins with a high-profile clash against Arsenal on 17 August. Onana has been a near-constant presence since his arrival from Inter Milan in 2023, missing just four of the club’s 76 league games.
In the meantime, attention will turn to the backup options available to manager Ruben Amorim. Altay Bayindir and veteran Tom Heaton are the other senior goalkeepers currently in the squad. Heaton recently agreed to a one-year contract extension and may be called upon to take on a larger role if Onana is not deemed match-ready in time.
While Onana has faced scrutiny for inconsistent performances since joining United in a £42 million transfer, the club is not currently expected to make a move for a new goalkeeper. Onana still has three years left on his current contract, with the option for the club to extend it by an additional year.
Off the pitch, the club’s transfer activity continues with interest in strengthening other areas of the squad. A move for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo remains under consideration, although negotiations have yet to yield an agreement due to a gap between the two clubs’ valuations of the player. Amorim is determined to reinforce the squad after what was widely viewed as a disappointing first season in charge.
The club’s preparations for the new season are now under pressure as they balance managing injuries with the need to build cohesion and form during the pre-season matches. The goalkeeping situation is particularly sensitive, with Onana’s injury highlighting the thin depth behind him. If his recovery does not progress as hoped, United may be forced to reconsider their current stance and explore short-term solutions in the market to ensure they are well covered going into the new campaign.
