OUTRAGE: Sack Onana Now – Amorim Pressures Manchester United Owners Over Goalkeeper Crisis
Manchester United’s turbulent summer has taken yet another explosive turn. Reports from Carrington suggest that head coach Rúben Amorim has privately urged the club’s owners to terminate André Onana’s contract following a series of incidents that have left the squad unsettled and the dressing room fractured.
The Cameroonian goalkeeper, who arrived at Old Trafford with high expectations just a year ago, has found himself at the centre of controversy after a string of poor performances, heated clashes in training, and, most recently, a dramatic contract dispute over wage reductions. For Amorim, enough appears to be enough.
According to insiders, the Portuguese coach told United’s board and INEOS representatives in a tense meeting: “This is unsustainable. Sack Onana now.” The words, if true, reflect a new era of uncompromising discipline at Old Trafford, with Amorim determined not to let player power undermine his authority.
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How Onana Fell from Hero to Villain
When Onana was signed from Inter Milan for nearly £50 million in 2023, he was hailed as the modern, ball-playing goalkeeper United had lacked since the decline of David de Gea. A Champions League finalist with Inter, he was expected to usher in a new era of composure and confidence between the posts.
But his debut season proved anything but. High-profile blunders in the Champions League group stage saw United crash out early, while shaky Premier League displays left fans unconvinced. The Old Trafford faithful, long-suffering after years of instability, began to question whether Onana was cut out for the intensity of English football.
By the end of the campaign, his reputation had taken a serious hit. United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League triggered the contractual wage cut that Onana would later challenge—igniting the controversy that has now escalated into calls for his dismissal.
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The Contract Dispute That Sparked the Crisis
As part of standard policy, all United players take a 25% pay cut when the club misses out on Champions League football. Most squad members accepted this clause as part of their deals. Onana, however, reportedly demanded that his contract be re-signed to cancel the reduction.
When his request was denied, the goalkeeper reacted angrily, storming out of training in full view of teammates. The act was seen by many within the squad as disrespectful and self-centred.
Rúben Amorim, still in the process of stamping his authority at Old Trafford, was reportedly incensed. To walk away from training not only undermined him but also signaled to others that discipline could be flouted. For a coach who values unity above all else, this was an unforgivable act.
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Amorim’s Hardline Response
Amorim is known for his strict standards and refusal to tolerate egos disrupting team dynamics. At Sporting CP, he famously benched high-profile players who failed to follow his rules, winning respect and titles in the process.
At United, his philosophy is clear: no player is bigger than the club. In private conversations with INEOS leadership, Amorim is said to have insisted that Onana must be sacked to set an example. Sources suggest he told the board:
> “If you want me to succeed here, I need authority. Discipline cannot be negotiable. Sack Onana now, or others will think they can walk over the coach again.”
Such words cut deep into United’s recent history. Too often, managers from Jose Mourinho to Erik ten Hag have been undermined by dressing-room power struggles. Amorim appears determined not to join that list.
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Dressing Room Divisions
The Onana saga has reportedly split the squad. Senior players, including Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, are said to support Amorim’s call for stronger discipline, fearing that tolerating Onana’s behaviour could destabilise the group.
Others, however, believe dismissal would be too harsh, especially after the club invested heavily in signing him just a year ago. Some young players reportedly sympathise with his frustration over the wage cut, though they privately admit storming out of training was a mistake.
The tension has created an uneasy atmosphere at Carrington. “It feels like something is about to explode,” one insider claimed.
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Fans Demand Action
Among United supporters, patience has worn thin. On social media, hashtags like #SackOnana and #AmorimIsRight have trended, with fans echoing the manager’s stance.
“He’s been a liability since day one,” one supporter wrote on X. “Enough excuses. If Amorim wants him gone, back the manager.”
Others see the controversy as symbolic of deeper cultural issues at Old Trafford. “This isn’t just about Onana,” another fan posted. “This is about years of player power ruining this club. Amorim has to win this battle.”
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The Owners’ Dilemma
For INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the decision is far from straightforward. Onana’s contract still has four years left, and terminating it would require a costly payout. The optics of sacking a marquee signing so soon after his arrival would also raise questions about recruitment strategy and financial prudence.
At the same time, siding against Amorim could undermine the new coach before his project has even begun. Ratcliffe has spoken repeatedly about “cultural reset” at United, and this may be the defining early test of that philosophy.
Do they prioritise the financial burden of keeping Onana, or the cultural statement of backing their manager’s authority?
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Possible Outcomes
Several scenarios are reportedly being considered:
1. Termination of Contract – Amorim’s preferred option, but the most financially damaging.
2. Transfer Listing – United may quietly place Onana on the market, seeking to recoup part of their investment this summer.
3. Suspension and Fine – A middle ground that disciplines Onana without ending his United career immediately.
4. Reconciliation – The least likely outcome, requiring Onana to apologise publicly and Amorim to soften his stance.
The next few weeks could prove decisive, especially as the transfer window remains open.
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A Pattern of Goalkeeping Turmoil
The goalkeeper position has been a source of turbulence for Manchester United since the decline of David de Gea. His long goodbye was riddled with contract disputes and inconsistent form. Onana was supposed to represent a clean break—modern, composed, and suited to Amorim’s tactical ideals.
Instead, he has become the latest lightning rod for controversy. If Amorim succeeds in forcing his departure, United will once again be plunged into uncertainty over who guards their goal.
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Conclusion: A Defining Test for Amorim and INEOS
The crisis surrounding André Onana is about far more than one player’s wages. It is a battle for authority, respect, and the cultural direction of Manchester United.
For Rúben Amorim, the situation has become a defining test of his new tenure. His demand to sack Onana is not merely about a goalkeeper storming out of training—it is a statement that the old days of indiscipline and entitlement must end.
For INEOS, the decision is equally crucial. To back Amorim would signal a new era of ruthlessness and standards at Old Trafford. To resist him would risk repeating the mistakes of the past, where managers were left powerless and players ruled unchecked.
As the saga continues, one thing is clear: this is not just a story about a goalkeeper in crisis. It is about Manchester United’s very identity.
And right now, under Amorim’s fierce gaze, the club stands at a crossroads—between repeating the chaos of old, or finally, at long last, building something new.
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