Manchester United still don’t know who their next permanent manager will be, but they know what their first decision should be.
Michael Carrick has done his prospects no harm in converting his temporary gig into a permanent one, but Ineos are being patient.
It might be counter-productive in terms of helping them land their transfer targets, but there is clarity on at least one front.
That’s because, regardless of who the next permanent manager is, their first decision is straightforward, brutal, but necessary.
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Man Utd’s next manager must quash Andre Onana’s hopes
For the first time since David de Gea was in top form between the sticks at Old Trafford, Man Utd have a goalkeeper who doesn’t transmit panic.
Senne Lammens has been a breath of fresh air with his calmness and composure, which is in stark contrast to how Man Utd fans felt with Andre Onana in goal.
Onana hasn’t pulled up any trees in Turkey either this season, but as per The Athletic, he hasn’t given up on his United career yet.
His contract at the club expires in 2028, so he is well within his rights to dig in, but the next permanent manager must immediately quash his hopes.
Not only is Lammens solidified as the United No. 1, but Radek Vitek is also coming back from a brilliant loan spell at Bristol City.
Add to that Onana’s wages, his attitude under the previous regime, and just his overall form, and it becomes clear that there’s no way back for him.
United’s next permanent manager’s first order of the day should be to tell Onana that he needs to find a new club because he has no future at United.
Ineos will set the tone with Onana
United’s next permanent manager will take solace from the fact that he will have full backing of Ineos on being brutal with Onana.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made no effort to hide how much he opposes most of the Glazer era contracts on United’s books, and the recruitment policy as well.
Onana is the personification of that recruitment policy, with the 2023 transfer window hanging like an albatross around Ineos’ neck.
The new part-owners will certainly make an example out of Onana by empowering the manager to give him clarity on his future immediately.
Setting the tone is necessary after years of drifting aimlessly with overpaid/underachieving players.
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