Manchester United may be forced into the transfer market for a new goalkeeper after André Onana sustained a hamstring injury that could sideline him for up to two months, casting doubt over his involvement in pre-season and potentially the start of the Premier League campaign.
New manager Rúben Amorim is reassessing his summer plans after the 29-year-old Cameroonian suffered the injury during training this week at United’s Carrington base. An initial assessment estimates a recovery time of six to eight weeks, leaving Onana racing to be fit for the club’s opening fixture against Arsenal on August 17.
Onana is due to undergo further scans in the coming days to determine the full extent of the injury, but United are already weighing up their options. Amorim is considering whether to sign a new goalkeeper for cover or even direct competition.
While Altay Bayındır is currently United’s No. 2, and veteran Tom Heaton recently extended his stay with a one-year deal, neither is seen as an ideal long-term solution. Highly rated Czech prospect Radek Vitek, 21, has also returned from a productive loan spell at Austrian side BW Linz and is under consideration for a spot in the pre-season tour squad.
United’s preparations begin with a friendly against Leeds United in Sweden next weekend, followed by a tour of the United States with fixtures against West Ham, Bournemouth, and Everton. A final pre-season match at home against Fiorentina is scheduled for August 9.
Despite his high-profile £47.2 million move from Inter Milan last summer, Onana endured a mixed first season under Erik ten Hag, marked by notable errors in both the Premier League and Europe. His inconsistent form led Amorim to drop him in April after a poor performance in the Europa League against Lyon, before rotating him again on the final day of the season.
Bayındır has also had shaky moments — including a disallowed goal caused by his fumble against Aston Villa — which has raised concerns about United’s depth between the posts.
The club has been linked with several potential targets, including Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez, though no active negotiations are currently underway, with both clubs far apart in valuation. United scouts have also monitored Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens of Antwerp, and other options could emerge depending on how the market develops.
The summer window has already seen notable goalkeeper movement across the Premier League. Arsenal’s signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga has left Bournemouth to turn to Chelsea’s Djordje Petrovic. Wolves and Sunderland are also exploring options, while Newcastle are weighing up a move for Burnley’s James Trafford — though Nick Pope is determined to stay and fight for his place.
United are also aware of growing foreign interest in emerging goalkeepers such as Lille’s Lucas Chevalier and Parma’s Zion Suzuki, both watched closely by Premier League scouts last season. Barcelona, meanwhile, have signed Espanyol’s Joan García, a former Arsenal target.
Amorim is eager to finalise his squad before the team departs for the U.S. tour, making the timing of Onana’s injury particularly disruptive. With the Cameroonian sidelined, the club’s goalkeeping conundrum is quickly becoming a key storyline ahead of the new campaign.
Meanwhile, reinforcements continue elsewhere. Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo is expected to complete his move to Old Trafford this week, following agreements for Matheus Cunha and 18-year-old Spanish midfielder Diego León.
As Amorim looks to steady the ship, United must decide whether to place faith in their current options — or act decisively to fix a position that caused no shortage of problems last season.