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Manchester United’s decision to sign Andre Onana in 2023 was more than just a personnel switch.
As The Athletic’s Carl Anka notes, it was “a philosophical pivot” away from the reactive style of David de Gea to a goalkeeper designed to play on the front foot.
Onana was brought in to be a modern solution—comfortable in possession, proactive with his positioning and aggressive with his distribution.
But two seasons in, Anka observes that “the theory has yet to deliver.” While flashes of quality remain, inconsistency and the lack of a cohesive defensive structure have diluted his impact.
The report highlights a symbolic moment early in Onana’s United career—a pre-season lobbed goal after a poor backpass. It was an early warning of the risks that come with his style.
Then-manager Erik ten Hag was convinced the upside outweighed the danger. But that conviction has been tested.
United’s lack of structure has left Onana exposed. As Anka explains, his traits are “tailored for teams that dominate possession” and “use the goalkeeper to help build attacks from the back.” That’s not the United of now. Injuries to Lisandro Martinez and inconsistency in midfield have eroded the foundation Onana’s game relies on.
The Athletic reports that United have maintained contact with Emiliano Martinez’s representatives since the start of the year.
Though no bid has been lodged with Aston Villa, the interest is clearly there, and Anka presents a compelling case for why the Argentina international could offer a more suitable solution.
Martinez, Anka writes, is “no-nonsense,” a player who “looks to control the chaos” rather than shape the tempo. He doesn’t demand tactical sophistication from those around him. He simply provides a dependable presence. “His command of the six-yard box is exemplary,” Anka states, and he ranks among the league’s best in claiming high balls.
The psychological side of Martinez’s game also earns praise.
From Argentina’s Copa America and World Cup triumphs to his success in penalty shootouts, Anka describes him as a goalkeeper who “owns the moment.”
The piece acknowledges that neither Onana nor Martinez is flawless.
Statistically, Martinez has faced fewer shots but prevented more goals. Onana, however, had one more Premier League clean sheet last term. It’s a narrow gap, and both have their moments.
One recurring point is how their styles expose or support the team differently.
Onana’s high-risk passing and adventurous positioning can unsettle a fragile defence. Martinez’s pragmatic approach offers predictability. “A goalkeeper who asks less of the system and offers more in terms of reliability makes a lot of sense,” Anka concludes.
Ultimately, The Athletic frames the choice between the two as less about individual brilliance and more about compatibility with United’s current identity, or lack thereof.
Featured image: Daniel Jayo via Getty Images
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