In a tense and dramatic encounter at Old Trafford, Manchester United managed to secure a narrow 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town despite facing significant adversity, including early defensive errors and playing with ten men for much of the match. However, the post-match discussions have been overshadowed by manager Ruben Amorim’s furious criticism of goalkeeper André Onana, which has sent shockwaves through the football world.
The match got off to a disastrous start for United, as a misunderstanding between Onana and newly signed defender Patrick Dorgu led to an early goal for Ipswich. A simple through ball caused hesitation between the two players, allowing Jaden Philogene-Bidace to pounce on the mistake and give the visitors the lead. The situation deteriorated further for United when Dorgu was sent off in the 43rd minute for a reckless challenge, leaving his team at a numerical disadvantage for the remainder of the match.
Despite these setbacks, United displayed resilience and managed to turn the game around. An own goal from Ipswich’s Sam Morsy brought them level before Matthijs de Ligt put them ahead with a close-range strike. However, Ipswich fought back to equalize, only for Harry Maguire to secure the win with a towering header early in the second half.
While the victory provided much-needed points for United, Amorim’s post-match press conference stole the headlines. The Portuguese manager did not hold back in his criticism of Onana, expressing his frustration with the goalkeeper’s repeated errors. Amorim publicly declared that Onana would not be his first-choice goalkeeper next season, calling his performance unacceptable for a club of United’s stature. He questioned Onana’s decision-making, leadership, and composure, stating that such mistakes had become a pattern both in training and during matches. The manager even went so far as to suggest that Onana should not have been signed in the first place, taking a dig at former manager Erik ten Hag’s decision to bring him to Old Trafford.
Onana’s struggles have not been limited to this match. Earlier in the season, he was widely criticized for a costly mistake in a 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest, where he allowed a seemingly routine shot from Morgan Gibbs-White to slip past him. His inconsistency has led to growing frustration among the fanbase, with many supporters calling for him to be dropped. Social media has been flooded with demands for Onana’s departure, with some fans questioning why he continues to start despite repeated errors.
Amorim’s latest comments represent a stark shift in his stance on Onana. Previously, he had defended the goalkeeper after mistakes, emphasizing team responsibility. However, after another high-profile error, it appears his patience has run out. Reports suggest that United are already looking at potential replacements, with Porto’s Diogo Costa and AC Milan’s Mike Maignan among the names linked with a move to Old Trafford.
With United now sitting in 14th place in the Premier League table, the victory against Ipswich provides a crucial boost in their bid to move away from the relegation zone. However, defensive frailties and disciplinary issues remain pressing concerns for Amorim. As the season progresses, the scrutiny on Onana is likely to intensify, and unless he delivers significant improvements, his future at Manchester United looks increasingly uncertain.
