Ruben Amorim has become a man under pressure at Manchester United in recent weeks after yet another dismal few weeks in charge at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils boss was given the benefit of the doubt during last campaign, after largely working with the players already at his disposal upon taking the reins in November.
However, he was handed the tools to do just that this summer, subsequently spending over £200m on the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha.
Big money, spent on big-name players, but yet still the same result, leading to questions being asked about the boss’s long-term future in the role.
The defeat in the Manchester Derby on Sunday made just one win from the opening four Premier League outings of the 2025/26 campaign – once again sitting just a couple of places above the drop zone.
Their tally of seven goals conceded is the fourth worst in the division, highlighting the need for added work in the defensive third – an area that was massively neglected during the off-season.
However, Amorim did decide to finally part ways with one player, but it’s evident that he wasn’t the only issue currently within that area of the pitch for the Red Devils.
Why Man Utd decided to offload Andre Onana
Goalkeeper Andre Onana is a player who has come under huge fire at United over the last couple of months for his lacklustre performances between the sticks.
Huge excitement was generated around his signature back in the summer of 2023, after the Cameroonian international joined in a £47m transfer from Inter Milan.
He was seen as the ideal replacement for the outgoing David de Gea, but it’s safe to say, two years on from his move to Manchester – the deal has been a disaster.
The 29-year-old has cost the side in key moments, with countless mistakes leading to goals – six of which came in the Premier League last season, subsequently contributing to the lowly top-division finish.
Even in the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur, he was unable to keep out a routine effort from Brennan Johnson, with such a failure handing the European trophy to the Lilywhites.
Onana’s failures continued into 2025/26, arguably being at fault for both goals in the Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town – undoubtedly leading to his loan move to Trabzonspor over the last few weeks.
However, despite his temporary departure, there’s another player in the current side that Amorim desperately needs to axe if he is to have any chance of saving his job.
The United player who Amorim needs to axe
In his 47 games in charge of United, Amorim has suffered defeat on 20 occasions, resulting in the former Sporting CP boss achieving a measly 38% win percentage to date.
The recent defeat against Pep Guardiola’s men has raised further questions about his future in the role, especially given his reluctance to move away from his current 3-4-2-1 system.
The 40-year-old stated after the match at the Etihad that the club will have to change the man before he changes his ideas – a statement that has piled further pressure on his shoulders.
Within his back three at the Etihad, the manager utilised Luke Shaw, with the Englishman switching from a wing-back role that he operated in during the early stages of his career.
Injuries have played a massive part in the 30-year-old’s progress, only managing over 30 appearances across all competitions in one of the last five years.
He’s suffered 13 separate injury setbacks during the aforementioned timeframe – subsequently missing nearly 150 games of first-team action in the process.
However, Amorim has put faith in the Englishman to play a huge part in his backline – but his recent displays have highlighted the need for added investment in such an area.
Shaw, who’s been labelled “woeful” by one analyst, has only made 0.2 interceptions per 90 and has been dribbled past 1.2 times per 90 – highlighting his inability to regain possession for the Red Devils.
Games played
4
Minutes played
347
Pass accuracy
85%
Tackles won
50%
Interceptions made
0.2
Recoveries made
3.3
Dribbled past
1.2
Tackles made
0.9
Fouls committed
1.5
He’s also won less than one tackle per 90, at a success rate of just 50% – often being an unreliable option – as seen by the club’s measly defensive record.
Injuries in the backline have undoubtedly contributed to his run of games in the side, with Shaw likely to lose his place to the likes of Lisandro Martínez upon his return to first-team action.
With the 30-year-old having two years left on his current deal at Old Trafford, the hierarchy desperately need to offload the defender in the distant future.
His decline over recent years is there for all to see, with the manager desperately needing to replicate a deal for Onana and allow him to move on if he’s to have any chance of keeping his job.
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