BREAKING NEWS:‼️ After yesterday’s clash with Brighton & Hove Albion I realised that André Onana wasn’t the real issue for Manchester United — there’s one particular player who keeps exposing our goalkeepers. Pep Guardiola finally names that ONE United player responsible for making clean sheets near-impossible — and it’s not Harry Maguire. He REALLY cost us by conceding two late goals yesterday 😤

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There’s something profoundly disquieting about the way Manchester United are conceding goals lately — and the fact that it’s not always down to the keeper or the headline-maker is what makes it all the more worrying. According to Guardiola, the real problem isn’t Onana; it’s a player whose mistakes repeatedly leave the goalkeeper exposed, resulting in goals that cost the club dearly.

Why it matters

Clean sheets are the foundation of any elite club’s success. If your goalkeeper is left vulnerable time and again, the pressure shifts from attacking efficiency to constant firefighting. For United, this shift undermines their ability to build momentum. If there’s a player whose recurring errors keep undermining the back-line, then the club’s ambitions are at risk.

Guardiola’s comments carry weight. He knows elite football, and when he highlights such a structural issue — that a player is exposing the keeper — it’s a red flag. The fact that he specifically says the keeper (Onana) was never the problem but someone else in the squad is the root cause amplifies the concern.

What Guardiola seems to be pointing to

He says: “Onana was never the problem… this particular player is the only one that exposes the goalkeeper in every game.”

He claims this same player “REALLY CAUSED US TO CONCEIVE TWO LATE GOALS yesterday.”

He explicitly rules out Harry Maguire, suggesting the player in question sits elsewhere in the defensive/structural system.

The implication is that whether through positioning, decision-making, or lack of concentration, this individual repeatedly forces the keeper into situations he shouldn’t face.

The implications for United

1. Systemic vulnerability: If one player creates recurrent opportunities for the opposition to exploit, it means the system is compromised — not just on-the-day but across multiple games.

2. Confidence of the keeper: Even the best keepers can lose confidence if they feel exposed, unsupported, or left to cover defects in front of them.

3. Team morale & identity: United have always prided themselves on resolve and structure. Having an “exposer” in the ranks chips away at that identity.

4. Managerial credibility: A manager like Rúben Amorim (if we assume he’s in charge) will need to show he can address this issue decisively. Leaving it unchecked will weaken his standing and the squad’s cohesion.

What might be happening on the pitch

Poor positioning: The player may be drift-out of position, leaving gaps for opponents to target, especially in the final minutes.

Weak decision-making: Late in games, when concentration matters most, this player may be making sloppy passes, losing possession, or mistackling, leading directly to goals.

Reduced physical/mental sharpness: Two late goals suggests fatigue or lack of focus; the player might be dropping off when the rest of the team pushes.

Lack of communication or leadership: Especially if the player is meant to marshal the defence but fails to do so, the keeper ends up making extra decisions or covering too much.

Why the keeper (Onana) isn’t the problem

Guardiola states unequivocally that Onana wasn’t the issue — implying that the goals conceded were not simply shots that should’ve been saved or fundamental goalkeeping errors. Instead, the prevention of those chances (or the late lapses) lie elsewhere. That suggests the keeper is doing his job, but his job is being made harder by other faults. Recognising that is key: if you blame the keeper when he’s not primarily at fault, you risk mis-diagnosing the problem and treating the wrong area.

What United need to do now

Identify the player: The club’s coaches and analysts must single out the individual under review. It might be uncomfortable, but necessary.

Accountability & rotation: If this player continues to expose the defence, then rotation or suspension may be justified. It’s about protecting the system.

Training & mental reset: Late-game lapses suggest either fitness or focus issues — targeted training for those scenarios is crucial.

Tactical adjustment: Maybe the system needs tweaking — perhaps cover needs to be added internally to compensate for this weakness.

Support the keeper: Even if the keeper isn’t the root cause, he must be supported psychologically and tactically so he isn’t isolated in future.

The risk if nothing changes

If United continue to concede late goals because of repeated structural faults, the consequences could be severe: drop in league position, failure to secure Champions League football, erosion of fan confidence, and increased pressure on management. Also: future recruitment becomes harder when defensive reliability is in question.

Final thoughts

Guardiola’s observation hits at the heart of a recurring problem at United: the gap between individual responsibility and collective structure. It’s easier for fans to blame handsome mistakes or flashy failures. But when the issue lies deeper — when a player consistently puts the keeper in jeopardy — then the failure is less visible yet more damaging.

For United fans, management and players alike, the message is clear: recognise the real problem, correct it, and restore the foundation from which success can be built. The keeper may be fine — but if the player in front of him keeps creating problems, then no amount of shot-stopping will mask the vulnerability.