Manchester United’s struggles in 2024-25 were mirrored by their starting goalkeeper Andre Onana.
After arriving from Inter Milan for £43 million with high expectations in 2023, Onana has endured a turbulent two years at Old Trafford.
Since joining, no goalkeeper has made more errors leading to goals for Premier League clubs in all competitions than Onana (8). His save percentage in 2024-25 (67.2%) was only the 11th-best in the league, a stark decline from his debut season where he managed third-best (72%).
Signed to replace David de Gea, the Cameroonian shot-stopper was meant to be the modern, ball-playing goalkeeper at the heart of Man Utd’s rebuild. But a series of shaky performances and high-profile gaffes saw Onana’s confidence erode, and his starting status increasingly questioned as time has passed.
With Man Utd now actively pursuing a new goalkeeper this summer, we’ve looked at four potential replacements for the 29-year-old if the club decide to cut their losses.
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Dream: Mike Maignan
Mike Maignan is the top-tier solution Man Utd crave. He’s a technically sound goalkeeper who brings elite shot-stopping and distribution to the back line.
On the cusp of 30, Maignan is in his prime. He captains AC Milan and starts for the French national team, and has repeatedly proven himself in high-stakes domestic and European matches.
In 2024-25, he logged 23 sweeper keeper regains in Serie A – more than any player. Maignan also made the sixth-most saves (99) and allowed just one error leading to a shot all season in the Italian top-flight. Oh, and he also registered 12 clean sheets in a Milan team that finished a miserable eighth.
Contract renewal talks with Maignan have stalled with a year left on his deal at the San Siro. While there’s been no whispers of a move to Man Utd, he would be a dream target for many clubs.
Realistic: Emiliano Martinez
If Man Utd want ready-made, Premier League-proven reliability between the sticks, Emiliano Martinez is a compelling option. The Aston Villa goalkeeper has enjoyed another strong season and remains one of the world’s best pure shot-stoppers. He boasts a World Cup, Copa America, and multiple Fifa Best Goalkeeper awards in the last three years.
But more importantly, he’s actively available. Multiple reports have stated Martinez has “offered himself” to Man Utd through intermediaries, with personal terms unlikely to be an issue. His desire for a move reportedly stems from uncertainty over Villa’s Champions League ambitions beyond 2025 and a belief he deserves a stage equal to his international stature.
The Argentine made 100 saves in the Premier League last season, caught the most crosses (52), and completed the sixth-most long passes (202) of any player.
At 32, Martinez is at the latter stages of his peak. His vocal presence and big-game nous might just lift a Man Utd backline that has too often lacked structure and leadership.
Wildcard: Bart Verbruggen
While perhaps not the headline name, Bart Verbruggen is a long-term investment that could turn out to be the most shrewd play on this list.
The 22-year-old joined Brighton in 2023 from Anderlecht, and has quietly emerged as one of the Premier League’s most promising keepers. Tall but agile, the Dutch international is confident with the ball at his feet and fits the modern mould of a build-up-oriented shot-stopper.
After sharing duties with Jason Steele in his first season, he established himself as Brighton’s No.1 in 2024–25. He was also included in the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 squad and is expected to cement his No.1 spot for the long term.
While not formally on the market, Brighton have historically been willing to sell at the right price, which could get Man Utd to the table. If the club want to reset their long-term identity at goalkeeper, Verbruggen is a forward-thinking option who could anchor the position for a decade.
Squawka Suggests: Kaua Santos
At just 22 years old, Brazilian keeper Kaua Santos firmly announced himself in the 2024‑25 season, stepping up as Eintracht Frankfurt’s first-choice goalkeeper whenever Kevin Trapp was sidelined. He featured in nine Bundesliga matches, keeping three clean sheets.
His Europa League outings were equally impressive across five matches. This includes a standout performance against Besiktas where he pulled off an astonishing 10 saves (including a penalty stop), marking the highest single-game total in the competition on the season.
Frankfurt moved quickly to secure his future, extending his contract until 2030. This is a clear vote of confidence from the board that he can evolve into one of Europe’s elite shot-stoppers.
Santos is now firmly on the radar of the continent’s elite and any interested suitor will likely have to cough up big money for him. Who else other than Man Utd?
