Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has lots to change when he takes charge of the team for his first game – but one thing is guaranteed to stay the same.
Ruben Amorim’s headache for his first game against Ipswich will not extend to the goalkeeper position, where Andre Onana is the undisputed first choice.
Occupying United’s squad number 24, Onana is the club’s real number one, enjoying a very impressive second season.
It is exactly what Ruben Amorim needs, a goalkeeper who looks settled and confident, rather than the declining David de Gea who Erik ten Hag inherited.
Golden Glove ranking
The numbers back up Andre Onana’s excellent form for Manchester United this season, he leads the Golden Glove race after the third international break of the season.
- Andre Onana (Manchester United) – 5
- Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest) – 4
- Alisson (Liverpool), David Raya (Arsenal), Nick Pope (Newcastle), Jordan Pickford (Everton) – 3
Strong backline key for Amorim
Ruben Amorim is expected to set up his Manchester United team with a three-man defence, which can only benefit Andre Onana.
Having three centre-backs and two wing-backs will increase the easy passing options for Onana, giving more choice when he passes out from the back. This plays into his strengths, with Amorim’s coaching staff expected to lean into this.
But it is the ‘goals against column’ where there will be focus, with Sporting conceding just five goals this season so far.
Last season Sporting conceded only 29 goals in 34 matches. It’s a different league with a weaker overall level, this this shows the focus from Amorim’s coaching staff on a strong defence.
Manchester United’s goals against in 2024/25 is not actually the big problem. The team has conceded 12 goals in 11 Premier League games. The major issue is that United have scored only 12.
The strong defence led by Andre Onana in goal gives Ruben Amorim and his coaching staff a platform, to start playing more expansive football.
So often when a manager is fired, it is because the team have been leaking goals, and the new coach has to come in and tighten up. Manchester United’s case is the very opposite.
He has inherited Andre Onana in his Inter Milan form, not the hesitant goalkeeper who played last season, who was overwhelmed, and at times simply had to do too much.
Onana has shown real growth, and he will be ready to step up for Ruben Amorim, and lead from the back.
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