Manchester United: heavy sanction for André Onana!

André Onana finds himself at the heart of intense scrutiny once again, as Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim takes a firm stand following a string of underwhelming performances by the Cameroonian shot-stopper. In a move that has sparked widespread reaction across the footballing world, Onana has been left out of the squad for Sunday’s crucial Premier League clash against Newcastle United.

The decision comes just days after Manchester United’s disappointing 2-2 draw against Olympique Lyonnais in the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal. A match that was supposed to solidify their European ambitions instead turned into another showcase of defensive frailty—once again with Onana under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

At the Groupama Stadium, Onana was directly at fault for both of Lyon’s goals. First, he misjudged a swerving free kick from Thiago Almada, allowing it to sail past him into the back of the net. Then, as the clock ticked into stoppage time, he parried a long-range shot by Corentin Tolisso straight into the path of Rayan Cherki, who made no mistake with the rebound to snatch a late equalizer.

Despite publicly backing his goalkeeper after the final whistle, Amorim’s squad selection for the Newcastle fixture told a different story. The Portuguese coach has opted for Turkish backup Altay Bayindir to start between the sticks, in what could be his Premier League debut.

The BBC and several other British media outlets have reported that Onana’s omission is a tactical decision—not an injury. This absence signals more than a simple rest; it represents a stern warning. While not an outright demotion, Amorim’s decision is viewed as a disciplinary measure, a message that no one’s place in the starting XI is guaranteed—especially not after repeated high-profile errors.

Since joining the Red Devils from Inter Milan last summer, Onana has had a turbulent time adapting to life in England. Though brought in for his composure on the ball and Champions League pedigree, his performances have often raised more questions than answers. According to stats cited by the BBC, Onana has made eight errors leading directly to goals since the start of last season—the most of any Premier League goalkeeper in that timeframe.

That’s an alarming figure for a club that has long prided itself on elite-level goalkeeping—from the days of Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar to the more recent exploits of David De Gea. Onana’s struggles have added to the defensive instability United have faced all season.

Yet, this benching may not be permanent. Sources close to the club suggest that barring a stellar performance from Bayindir against Newcastle, Onana is still expected to return to the starting lineup for the all-important second leg against Lyon later this week. The coaching staff remain hopeful that this brief spell out of the limelight will allow the 28-year-old to reset mentally and find his form.

Off the pitch, the goalkeeper has also been dealing with personal issues. Just last month, Onana’s wife was reportedly the victim of a violent street robbery in London. The traumatic incident left the family shaken and forced them to increase personal security around their home. These off-field struggles could be contributing to his recent dip in form.

To make matters worse, Onana recently found himself embroiled in a verbal spat with former United midfielder Nemanja Matic. The Serbian labeled him “one of the worst goalkeepers in United’s history”—a harsh accusation that Onana publicly rebuffed by pointing out the trophies he has won, something Matic failed to achieve during his time at Old Trafford.

Still, public opinion remains divided. While some fans appreciate Onana’s confidence and modern style of goalkeeping, others view him as a liability in a side already grappling with defensive inconsistency. Amorim’s arrival was supposed to usher in a new era of tactical discipline and mental resilience, but Onana’s errors continue to undermine that vision.

The choice to bench Onana could also reflect Amorim’s broader strategy of accountability. Since his arrival, the coach has emphasized merit-based selection and mental toughness. Dropping a high-profile player like Onana, especially ahead of a massive Premier League fixture, suggests that Amorim is serious about holding his players to higher standards.

For Bayindir, this is a golden opportunity. The Turkish international, who arrived from Fenerbahçe last summer, has had limited chances to showcase his talents. A solid performance at St. James’ Park could tilt the goalkeeping debate in his favor, at least temporarily.

As Manchester United continue their push for European qualification and hope to lift the Europa League trophy, the goalkeeper position could be the defining factor. Whether Onana reclaims his spot and silences his critics remains to be seen. What’s clear is that the pressure is mounting—and every mistake from here on out could carry heavy consequences.

The road ahead is uncertain for the Cameroonian international. A return to form in the coming fixtures could reignite his status as a key figure in Amorim’s system. But continued errors might force the manager’s hand to look elsewhere permanently.

Regardless of what happens next, Sunday’s decision sends a powerful message from Ruben Amorim: no one is immune from consequences at Manchester United—not even the No. 1.