Four options for Man Utd to replace calamity keeper Onana

Robin Bairner

30 Nov 2023 01:54 CST
4 min read

Andre Onana, Man Utd, 2023/24 — © ProShots

After Andre Onana’s latest blunders, Manchester United will be seriously looking at their goalkeeping situation ahead of the January transfer window.

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The calamity Cameroon international goalkeeper gave up two almost identical goals in a 3-3 draw against Galatasaray on Wednesday, leaving Man Utd’s hopes of progressing through into the latter stages of the Champions League on the edge of a knife.

Not only do they need to overcome Bayern Munich in a fortnight, they need the Turks’ match with Copenhagen to end in a draw.

Of course, all this is not Onana’s fault, yet the manner in which he conceded from two Hakim Ziyech free kicks on Wednesday was limp.

Signed in the summer, the 27-year-old has made a string of errors throughout his first four months with the club and could use some relief. So far, Ten Hag has been reticent to throw in Turkey international Altay Bayindir, yet the former Fenerbahce keeper is looking an increasingly attractive option compared to the incumbent No.1.

But United can also cast their eye to the transfer market for reinforcement, with three high-quality goalkeepers obviously available in January and another already linked to the club.

David de Gea – free agent

It would be a humiliating turn of events for Man Utd to look to the goalkeeper they released in the summer to save their season, yet De Gea is still available on a free transfer.

While the major con is obviously the embarrassment they would suffer having to welcome him back after releasing him, the advantage is that he knows many of the players and could slot into the team straight away.

Man Utd fans may appreciate the qualities of the club’s four-time Player of the Year now that he’s been away.

Aaron Ramsdale - Arsenal

Could a loan deal be struck with Arsenal over Ramsdale? Man Utd have to see the England international as a possibility in January, with the keeper growing frustrated on the Gunners bench behind David Raya.

Mikel Arteta wants to keep Ramsdale on his books, and it should be an easy point to argue with the board not to allow him to depart for a direct rival.

Ivan Provedel – Lazio

Provedel hit the headlines earlier this season when he scored a last-minute goal against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, but he has been linked with a January move to Man Utd.

Talk of a permanent deal worth in the region of €35 million seems fanciful at this stage of proceedings, particularly with the takeover process at Old Trafford likely to be rumbling on beyond the January transfer window.

@championsleague 94th minute. Goalkeeper goal 🤯 #ChampionsLeague #UCL #Lazio ♬ original sound - So Pyay Han

Keylor Navas - PSG

Perhaps the likeliest of the three options on this list, Navas is unsettled at PSG and spent the second half of last season on loan at Nottingham Forest. He is second choice at Parc des Princes and another temporary deal should be feasible in January.

At 36, he’s by no means youthful, but that could also be of benefit to Man Utd given that he has a wealth of experience dealing with difficult situations at big clubs.

Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season in 2017/18, his pedigree is clear.