What Andre Onana injury means for Manchester United, young replacements, new signings, and David de Gea showcase

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Manchester United are dealing with a new unexpected blow concerning Andre Onana.

Pre-season and injuries have fitted together at Manchester United like a glove in recent seasons.

In 2022 Phil Jones suffered his final knee injury as a player in his first pre-season training session under Erik ten Hag, which spelled the end of his career.

A year later in 2023 Tyrell Malacia reported back with a knee injury that ruled him out for the entire campaign. Kobbie Mainoo then suffered an injury during a pre-season game that saw him miss three months of action.

And then in 2024, new signing Leny Yoro suffered a metatarsal injury in his second appearance, that kept him out for four months.

Luke Shaw then suffered his latest muscle injury days before the season, and by the time he recovered, Erik ten Hag had been fired.

In 2025 it has started early too, with Andre Onana suffering a hamstring injury in pre-season training, BBC Sport reports.

Andre Onana presents Manchester United with dilemma

Andre Onana is Manchester United’s first choice goalkeeper and is expected to miss around six weeks. This covers the entirety of pre-season and the opening Premier League games.

Over the past month there has been debate over what Manchester United would do with Andre Onana.

The goalkeeper has made clear he wants to stay, and this makes it tough for Manchester United to attempt to sell him. His injury is also unlikely to make him more attractive to potential buyers.

But if there was a desire to move on from Onana, now is the time to make the move. It’s the perfect excuse.

United cannot hang around. The transfer market is open, and there is also the prospect of Onana missing a month of action with the AFCON tournament in early 2026.

Do United want to put their faith in a goalkeeper who could now miss a cumulative two months of the season?

Money will continue to be a factor. United are struggling to close a move for Bryan Mbeumo right now, and need to get a move on with player exits.

The club’s ability to bring in a replacement for Onana hinges on funds, and in the meantime, the club’s existing options are under the spotlight.

David de Gea looms as young players look to stake a claim

As it stands by default, back-up goalkeeper Altay Bayindir would be in line to start in goal for Manchester United on opening day in 2025-26 against Arsenal.

Bayindir featured 10 times for United last season, and he was inconsistent. An acceptable back-up perhaps, but he is not a number one.

Tom Heaton might be seen as a steady pair of hands due to his experience, but his performances on the post-season tour would suggest otherwise.

And then there are promising prospects Radek Vitek and Elyh Harrison, both of whom are expected to go on pre-season tour.

Vitek is an imposing figure who has experience on loan in League Two, and in the Austrian Bundesliga last season. He is ready to play regular football somewhere, and he has a real opportunity this pre-season.

Elyh Harrison is another very highly rate prospect who has trained in recent months under Amorim, after spending the first half of season on loan. He has impressed with his academy performances, but stepping up as United is choice is a big ask.

And with the backdrop to all of this, former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea returns to Old Trafford with former club Fiorentina for a friendly match in early August.

De Gea left United on a free transfer in 2023, and while there was logic to that ruthless choice, when he returns to play in the upcoming friendly, he will be the best goalkeeper on the pitch.

If anything, this could spur United’s decision-makers into getting their act together. The goalkeeper position needs a resolution, and waiting on Andre Onana’s return is not ideal.